So You Want To Adopt?
Please Think Before You Leap
There are various situations to consider before adopting a lifelong friend. It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, and you fall in love. The next thing you know, you’re walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.
If you’re like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life’s greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day’s work. But there are many things to consider. We are looking for the right kind of adopter that is aware of the responsibility and who will make this a forever family member. Therefore, we take extra care in making sure you are a good match for our cats.
Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Cats require lots of time, money, and commitment over 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.
Things To Know
The fact that you’re thinking about adopting from a rescue organization, means you’re a responsible and caring person. But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:
It’s amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it’s “the thing to do” or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don’t forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.
The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
Many rental communities don’t allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you’re a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active-they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research! That way, you’ll ensure you choose an animal that will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.n
Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.
Get A Cat For Life
Sure, it’s a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through a cat shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.
Many of the shelter’s homeless cats are puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many cats at the shelter who are more than a year old-Cats who were obtained by people who didn’t think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the cat.
Please, don’t make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion cat can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love for the life of the pet.
If you’re ready to adopt a companion for life, please click the links above at the top of the page to see a sample of our many wonderful cats available for adoption at Street Cat Rescue.
If someone tugs at your heart and you would like to meet him or her, please fill out an Adoption Application.
READY TO ADOPT?
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