Tips for Adopting A Pet
Here are a few things you should know about adopting a pet:
Tips for Shelters and Rescue Organizations
Here are ways shelters can leverage LiveDeal to find more local homes for pets:
Tips for Adopting A Pet
Adding a companion animal to your family is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but the decision to bring a pet into your home should not be made lightly. Give some thought as to what the best pet for your family and housing situation might be before adopting. We include the information below to help you in making a decision that you will be happy with both now and in the long term.
Why Adopt Rather Than Buy?
There are lots of good reasons to adopt a pet. Here are a few of them from Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org):
- When you adopt a pet, you are saving a life. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important reason to consider adoption. Adoption decreases the number of animals that due to the lack of sufficient homes have to be put to sleep. It also helps with larger problem of pet overpopulation.
- Adopting can be less expensive than buying. Buying a pet can cost $500 to $1,000 or more. Adoption costs range from $50 to $200, depending on whether the pet comes from the city shelter or a rescue group that has spent money on boarding, vets, and grooming.
- Mixed breeds have some advantages. Based on the well-established principle of “hybrid vigor,” a mixed-breed animal is likely to live longer and cost less in vet bills than a pure breed. Many purebred dogs are prone to developing health problems ranging from breathing difficulties to hip dysplasia to an enlarged heart.
- Rescue groups often provide ongoing support and information. If you have questions or problems with your new pet when you adopt from a rescue group, they can often share a history about the animal and they can help you through the familiarization period.
- If you adopt, you get your choice of any age. Though puppies and kittens are cute and cuddly, they can also be a handful. An adult or older pet may be a better “fit” for you. For example, adopting an adult dog who’s already house-trained and knows basic commands is often much easier than adopting a puppy, who must be taught these things and places greater demands on your time.
- You get just as much love (if not more). An adopted pet is every bit as loving, intelligent and loyal as a purchased pet, even if you get an adult or older animal.
How to choose your pet
Different animals have different temperaments and needs. Be sure to understand what is involved in caring for your animal and how well that animal will fit into your home. For example, is the animal good with children? If you live in a small apartment, how much space does the animal require? If you are at work all day, how much attention does the animal need? Does it need a companion? How much does the food, cage/bedding, supplies, and grooming/vet visits for the animal cost?
Ask about the history of the animal, it’s behavior, and why the pet needs a new home or how the pet was found. See the Humane Society Guide to Pet Adoption for more helpful suggestions: http://www.hsus.org/pets/animal_shelters/
In general, there are several questions that are good to ask before making your decision:
- How big will the animal get and how much space/exercise does the animal need?
- How often will the animal need to be groomed or see a vet?
- What potential health problems are common to this type of animal?
- How does the animal get along with children/other animals?
- How long can the animal be left alone at home?
- How much will this pet cost, both initially (purchase price, immunizations) and ongoing (food, supplies, grooming, check-ups)?
- Is the animal pictured the exact one I will get, or will it be one from the same litter, or a similar animal from the same parents as the animal shown?
Choosing the right pet for you
From Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org)
Sharing your life with an animal has great benefits and can bring you great joy. If you are thinking about adding a pet to your family, it’s best to learn about the needs of different types of pets to find one that will best suit your lifestyle. Each type of pet is different in terms of care, feeding, behavior, cost, housing and demands on your time. If you know what you’re getting into, you’ll be more likely to have a happy animal, a good relationship with your pet, and an easier time dealing with any challenges that might arise.
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider what type of pet to get:
- What type of animal is the best fit for your home? Will you be able to live with pet hair, a litter box or the occasional wear-and-tear caused by pets?
- If you have children, how will having a pet affect them? Will everyone in your home welcome an animal?
- If you rent, do you have permission from the property owner?
- How much space do you have inside and outside your home? Will you need a fenced yard? If you get a cat, will you want an outdoor enclosure (a cattery) so your kitty can spend time safely outdoors?
- How much time do you have to spend with a pet?
- What is your activity level? Are you sedentary or physically active?
- Do you have the financial resources if your pet has a medical crisis and has high veterinary bills?
- Do you have someone who can be a secondary caregiver if you are away from home? If not, how will you provide care for your pet when you travel?
One key question is where to get your new pet. Please consider adopting – there are many wonderful dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals at most local animal shelters. There are also rescue groups for many specific dogs breeds and other types of pets. What’s more, the staff at your local animal shelter can help you find just the right pet for you. They know the animals in their care and can help you make a good match for your personality and lifestyle.
What things should you consider before adopting a pet?
According to the ASPCA (www.aspca.com), caring for a companion animal goes far beyond providing food, water and shelter. It's smart to do your research and careful planning before bringing a dog or cat home. Here are several questions to ask before you adopt your next companion animal:
1. Are you ready to make a long-term commitment?
Your pet may be with you for a very long time. Did you know that dogs can live from 10-15 years, and cats for up to 20 years? You may go through many changes in your life-moves, marriages, the birth of children, new jobs and new houses-but your animal will be a permanent part of your life. And since dogs and cats can bond deeply with their families, it can be heartbreaking for the pet-and for the family-should that bond be broken if you cannot care for your animal. Are you up for it?
2. Can you spend quality time with this animal?
Canines thrive on several hours of exercise and companionship every day, and dogs who are constantly left alone can develop behavioral problems. Cats are healthiest and happiest indoors, with their human families. Felines who live outside face dangers from other animals and people, and may prey on wildlife.
3. Will you be responsible for your pet's health and safety?
The cost of owning a dog or cat is a more than the initial adoption fee! When estimating the total amount, remember to include basic and emergency veterinary care, toys, supplies and food. You'll also need to spay or neuter your pet, and make sure that he or she has proper identification-that means a collar and tags and a more permanent form of ID such as microchipping.
4. Do you know what kind of pet is right for you?
Dogs and cats are not right for every household. Problems such as allergies, apartment restrictions, or moving issues should be explored before adopting a new pet. Large dogs may be too strong or active for small children, while small pets may be too delicate for children. It's smart to ask the shelter staff what animals they recommend for your household-they're experts at making perfect matches!
5. (for dog adopters) Will your dog be on his best behavior at all times?
Basic training helps dog owners communicate better with their pets and strengthens the human-animal bond. Research shows that people who train their dogs are more likely to keep them.
(for cat adopters) Why is your cat doing that?!
Understanding a cat's behavior can be like learning another language! It is important to know what is normal behavior, as well as how to correct inappropriate behaviors.
More tips from the ASPCA…
Ask everyone in the family to describe their perfect pet. Discuss their likes and dislikes, so you don't accidentally come home with an animal who frightens them. Large dogs may be too strong or active for young children, for example, while some people may simply prefer cats over canines. Because a pet that you adopt will become part of the family, it is important that all family members want to bring the pet home.
If you are getting a pet for your child, it is unrealistic to expect the child to do all the work. No matter how mature your child is, you will need to provide constant supervision and act as a back-up when your child is unable to handle the responsibility. Ultimately, you are responsible for the pet.
Make sure your family is ready for the changes an animal will bring into your home. There will be many new chores to do, and many new adventures to experience! Puppies, for example, need a lot of attention and training. They can end up chewing household items, and do not remain small for long. Cats do best if you keep to the same feeding, grooming and playing schedule every day. Do you and the other members of the family have the time to properly care for a new pet?
Learn which type of dog breed would best suit you and your kids. Some breeds are naturally more aggressive or high-strung than others. Breeds such as Labradors and golden retrievers are known to be more even-tempered and will do well with children. Most toy-sized and touch-and-noise-sensitive dogs are not suitable for young children.
Does anyone in your family have allergies? If you are unsure about your children, have them spend time in the home of pet-owning friends before bringing home a dog or cat. However, just because a family member does have allergies doesn't necessarily mean you can not have a pet.
Teach your family and kids about the pet before adopting. Educate yourself and your kids by reading books about pet care and asking pet-owning friends about their experiences. Be sure to explain that chores such as walking a dog several times a day and cleaning the cat's litter box are part of the ongoing family responsibilities of caring for an animal.
Young animals and children may not mix well. Very young children may unwittingly mishandle or hurt puppies and kittens, who are particularly vulnerable to being pulled at, dropped, or picked up inappropriately. Young animals have needle-sharp nails and milk teeth that can hurt youngsters by accident--so please proceed with caution.
Make sure the pet suits your home and lifestyle. You may have your heart set on a very large, very active dog, for example, which may not be a good choice if you live in a small apartment. Or perhaps you like the elegant looks of a long-haired cat, but are not so keen on the added responsibility of daily brushing.
Get your supplies, food and toys BEFORE you bring your pet home.Not only is this plain old common sense, it reinforces the seriousness of your commitment. And besides, the last thing you want to do is scramble to the store for a litter box and hope that your new cat will patiently wait until you return!
Divide up the daily chores of caring for the pet, and decide who will do what. This is a great way to ensure that everyone is involved in the pet's care, and that the pet fully becomes a part of the family-and, of course, it's a great way to ensure that no one forgets to walk the dog or that the cat doesn't get dinner three times in one day.
Why spay or neuter?
Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
From ASPCA, www.aspca.com www.aspca.com
1. Your female dog or cat will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying—the removal of the ovaries and uterus—is a veterinary procedure performed under general anesthesia that usually requires minimal hospitalization. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and in 90 percent of female cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
2. There are major health benefits for your male animal companion, too.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male dog or cat—the surgical removal of the testicles—prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary greatly, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house. Unspayed female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.
4. Your male dog won't need to roam away from home…
An intact male in search of a mate will do just about anything to get one! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
5. …and he will be much better behaved to boot!
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting on furniture and human legs when stimulated. And FYI, a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as unneutered dog--and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
It's no use to use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
7. Spaying or neutering is highly cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay or neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with neighborhood strays…or the cost of cleaning the carpet that your unspayed female keeps mistaking for her litter box, or the cost of…well, you get the idea!
8. It's good for the community.
Stray animals pose real problems in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause vehicular accidents, damage the local fauna and scare children.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to witness the miracle of birth.
We've heard this one a lot. But you know what? Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping teaches your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the trust behind this dangerous myth. There are countless books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner.
10. It packs a powerful punch in the fight against pet overpopulation.
Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.
Preparing your home for your new pet
From ASPCA, www.aspca.org
Housekeeping is a casual affair for some--a little hair here or a stain there is of no major importance. Others are more fastidious. While adopting a shelter animal can turn your house into a home, your new furry friend could also turn it into a mess. With a little forethought and the following tips, you can have it all—happy, healthy pets and a clean, stylish home!
KEEPING YOUR PETS CLEAN WILL HELP KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEAN!
- Keep your pet’s nails trimmed, and file down any rough edges that could shred upholstery or other fabric.
- Wipe off your pet’s jowls and long, floppy ears after each meal.
- A large, absorbent placemat under food and water bowls will make for easier clean-up after messy eaters.
- Keep your dog well-groomed. If need be, trim hair around his genitals, anus and belly so that dirt and waste have no place to cling. Frequent brushing outdoors will keep indoor shedding to a minimum.
FLOORS
- Machine-washable area rugs are preferable to wall-to-wall carpeting. If urine soaks into carpet backing, it is nearly impossible to remove. A carpet care product such as Bissell's Spot lifter® may prove indispensable if you can't remove the wall-to-wall.
- It is recommended that you roll up vegetable-dyed oriental rugs until your new dog is fully house-trained--and, if rugs have decorative fringe, don’t put them back down until your pet is well past teething age (over 8 months of age)!
- Tile, sheet linoleum, and Pergo® are pet-friendly floorings that allow you to easily wipe away any pet waste. Seal hardwood floors with polyurethane to prevent urine odor retention.
- Wipe off your dog’s paws each time he comes in from outdoors. Place a machine-washable area rug by the door. Keep a towel handy near the entry to wipe down your entire dog on rainy or slushy days.
WALLS
- Use washable semi-gloss paint in areas where the dog will spend the most of his time. This is essential for those with loose jawed dogs, such as coonhounds and mastiff types, who are more likely to shake spittle onto the walls.
- Washable vinyl-backed wallpaper is easier to clean than traditional paper-backed wallpaper.
- Relegate antique wallpapers or fabric wall treatments to the top half of the walls; paint or hang a washable wall covering below.
- Employ dog crates and gates to confine your new dog when home alone until his house manners earn him unsupervised freedom.
WINDOWS
- Avoid vertical blinds, pooling drapery, ornate tassels and long cords that can be a strangulation hazard. Should a dog get caught in any of these treatments, he could panic and bring anything around him crashing down.
- Think twice about mini-blinds, which can get bent beyond repair when they block a curious dog's view of the outside world.
- Fabric shades, café curtains and dramatic valances are excellent choices for dog-friendly homes.
FURNITURE
- Patterns and tweeds are more forgiving, but if a light-colored solid is your upholstery of choice, make sure the slipcovers are machine-washable.
- Leather and vinyl furniture easy to clean, but it can be damaged by too-long toenails! Be sure to clip your pet’s nails regularly!
- Provide comfy dog beds in each room or designate one piece of furniture as the dog's place. Cover this piece with a washable throw and teach the dog that this is the only piece of furniture he is allowed to frequent.
HOME DECORUM
Here are some fun ideas to spruce up your home decor for your companion animals:
- Internal Dutch doors between rooms make it easy for you to manage which pets are allowed where. They also eliminate the need for awkward baby gates.
- Outdoor cat enclosures should be attached to the house with a cat door to allow free access for the animal.
- Fenced-in yards should have a buried, inward-facing section to prevent dogs from digging and tunneling.
- If you have cats, be sure to install high-quality metal screens on all windows.
- You can install a folding (hinged) cat perch under a window for kitty’s viewing pleasure.
- What about a built-in alcove for your dog’s crate?
- By adding a porthole to a kitchen cabinet, you’ve got yourself a new place for a cat litter tray! Not only will it look clean and neat, the porthole will keep dogs from getting in and munching on cat waste. The cabinet door can be opened to allow access for cleaning. Mounting this cabinet at waist or counter level would be especially helpful for seniors.
- A small lift along a wall where the litter box or food and water bowls are placed would make cleaning and feeding a lot easier for senior pet owners. The lift would be used to raise and lower the litter box or food bowls.
- If you’re really handy…how about an outdoor septic disposal systems for dog waste?!
The information provided here was adapted from articles by Jacque Lynn Schultz, Director, ASPCA Companion Animals Program Advisor, and Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Senior Vice President, ASPCA National Program Office.
Things to consider before adopting a dog
From Pets911.com, www.pets911.com
Is a dog the right pet for you? Your dog will depend on you throughout its life, and with proper care, may live 10 years or more. Are you willing and able to care properly for it and provide it a stable home for that long?
Don't get a dog without considering and planning for the costs for such a responsibility. Normal veterinary care includes spaying or neutering, yearly shots and boosters, licenses and examinations for typical diseases. Preventive and consistent care is less expensive in the long run.
Here are some questions to help you decide if a dog is the right pet for you and if so, what kind of dog to get:
1) How much time can you spend with a dog? Dogs are social creatures; they will not be happy left out in the yard alone. You must be committed to spending several hours a day with a dog.
2) What kind of space can you provide for a dog? If you live in a small apartment, you must take this into consideration. Many dogs will not do well in a small apartment unless you expend a great deal of effort to meet their needs. Dogs can be pretty adaptable as long as you help them out.
3) How much money can you set aside for the care and feeding of a dog? Even if you do not purchase a pure-bred dog, you must buy food, pay for veterinary checkups, vaccinations and routine medical care, food bowls, collars, licenses, ID tags, leashes, carriers, etc. over the lifetime of the dog. It also might be necessary to replace items the dog may damage or destroy, or paying for medical emergencies. Do you have the financial resources for this?
4) How much exercise can you give a dog? If you are very busy and your time is limited, you should look for small or less active dogs that can get enough exercise in your home or from short walks. Not all small dogs are less active nor are larger dogs more active. Find out all you can about the breed of your dog, even if it is a "mixed" breed.
5) How much grooming can you do? All dogs require some grooming. Longhaired dogs are more likely to need more grooming than shorthaired dogs. Grooming is a part of good health. If you get a dog that requires regular grooming, are you prepared to pay for its grooming or learn to do it yourself? Are you prepared to pay for grooming or do it yourself regularly?
6) How much training can you do? No matter what dog you get, training will make your dog much more compatible with you and with what you want to do. A trained dog can go more places with you without disruption and can more easily be a part of your life.
7) What are you looking for in a dog? Do you want a dog that will jog with you? Go on long hikes in the woods with you? Do you want a dog who is bouncy and ready to go or one who is more relaxed? Do you want a dog that gets along with other animals?
8) Whatever dog you choose, you are making a long-term commitment. Your dog will need attention, love and respect from you: food and water are not enough. Consider your dog part of your family-that is what your dog will think about you, You are its pack.
9) You are responsible for your dog's health. Choose a veterinarian before you even get your dog and take your dog there immediately. Even if you are assured the dog is healthy, the veterinarian confirms that and make sure you are aware of what health checks are required next.
10) If you get a dog for protection, you are responsible for making sure that the dog is safe, reliable and trustworthy around people. Never chain a dog up in the backyard or encourage it to snarl and bite other people. You are responsible for your dog's behavior-this means keeping your dog under control. Do not let your dog roam. Keep your dog on a leash when out of a fenced yard and always clean up after your dog when it eliminates.
11) You are responsible for your dog's reproduction - have your dog spayed or neutered. Do not become a "backyard" breeder or contribute to the millions of dogs that are destroyed each year in this country because they do not have a good home.
12) You are still responsible for the dog when you "get one for your child." Until your child reaches a certain age, he or she will not have enough maturity to take responsibility for a dog. Dogs acquired for this reason often wind up in shelters when the parents realize that they are the dogs primary caretaker. A dog can be a good way to teach children about responsibility, but the dog is still your main responsibility.
13) You are responsible for becoming more knowledgeable about dogs-don't let your dog wind up in the shelter with a note that says "couldn't be housebroken" or "couldn't be trained." Find some good books to read about dogs and dog behavior-the local library or bookstore has many. Enroll in puppy or dog classes and learn from an instructor. These classes can be fun for you and your dog!
14) You are responsible for being prepared for a new dog-Never get a dog as a "surprise gift." All family members must agree on having a dog. Have food, water and food dishes, bedding, collars, leashes, chew toys and a veterinarian lined up before you even pick up your dog.
**Keep in mind that while you have several options as to where to get a dog, animal shelters are a great place to start. You will be saving a new best friend that really needs you.
...And If You Are Bringing A Puppy Into The Home Of Older Cats Or Dogs
15) In addition to having their physical needs taken care of, it is important that young puppies begin to learn about the world around them at an early age. The critical period for socialization of a puppy is between the ages of six to sixteen weeks. During this time, let the puppy interact with household members, including supervised introductions with other household pets. Be protective of the puppy, and carefully watch to make sure that children and other pets are not too rough with him or her. Keep in mind that for older animals, a new puppy may provide a new lease on life, encouraging a more playful and active attitude. However, others may resent the newcomer and feel lonely and depressed. In these cases, the older animal’s health may begin to suffer. An animal that has lived with other animals will probably be more accepting than one that has always been an "only child." No matter what, it is bound to be a stressful situation and the guardian should protect the older pet as much as possible. Avoid any situation where competition comes into play. For example, keep the older pet’s toys, bed or food dishes off-limits to the newcomer, and if either pet has to be restrained, it should generally be the new pet. The older pet’s regular routines need to be followed and its own private time with its guardian should be ensured.
Things to consider before adopting a cat
From Pets911.com, www.pets911.com
1) Is a cat the right pet for you? Your cat will depend on you throughout its life, and with proper care, may live 15 years or more. Are you willing and able to care properly for it and provide it a stable home for that long?
2) Don't get a cat without considering and planning for the costs for such a responsibility. Normal veterinary care includes spaying or neutering, yearly shots and boosters and examinations for typical diseases. Preventive and consistent care is less expensive in the long run. Normal costs could run between $100 and $300 a year.
3) If you cannot afford veterinary care for a cat, you should not get one. Other normal costs include cat food, cat litter, litter pans and scoops, cat toys, scratching posts, etc.
4) Most changes in your life shouldn't affect your ability to give your cat a good home. There are people who think they must give up a cat when they move. That's not the case at all; it is relatively easy to move with a cat, even if you are moving across the county or overseas.
5) Ok-so your budget and your lifestyle make a cat a good pet option for you. Now you have to decide what kind of cat is best for you.
6) Are you looking for a very active, playful cat? Do you need a cat who will be gentle with children or elderly people? Do you need a cat who won't be frightened by a barking dog? Or-are you looking for a cat who is calm and affectionate that will nap on your lap or sleep in your bed at night?
7) Consider adopting an adult cat. An adult cat already has a fully developed personality, so you know what you're getting. Adult cats generally adapt just fine to new homes and bond just as strongly with new families as kittens do. Also, adult cats are much less likely to be adopted.
8) Kittens require more care and watching, they may need to be litter box trained, and they require several trips to the veterinarian for vaccinations, checkups and spaying or neutering. In addition, it is difficult to predict what a kitten will turn out like when it grows up. If you decide on a kitten, the kitten should not be separated from its mother until it is 8-10 weeks old.
9) Male or female? Neutered males and spayed females make equally good pets. Neither sex is uniformly more affectionate, more intelligent, more calm or more playful.
10) However, unaltered cats of either sex can be difficult to live with. Unaltered males mark their territory by "spraying" foul smelling urine on the walls and furniture. If allowed outdoors, they will roam and fight with other cats. Unaltered females may also spray and usually are very vocal when they are in heat. Neutered and spayed cats make much more pleasant and healthy companions.
**Keep in mind that while you have several options as to where to get a cat, animal shelters are a great place to start. You will be saving a new best friend that really needs you.
...And If You Are Bringing A New Kitten Into The Home Of Older Cats Or Dogs
11) Even if your older pet has lived peacefully with other animals in the house, there is no guarantee that it will welcome a new kitten with joy, or even tolerance. When you bring a new kitten into the home, your older pet will need lots of extra attention. The cat needs to know that you still love it and that the newcomer is not a threat to its position in your household.
12) When you bring your new kitten home, it is important to isolate it. Choose a room in neutral territory. The first time the two pets meet face to face should be short. If the older pet is a dog, proper restraint, such as a leash, will prevent him or her from chasing and scaring the kitten.
13) Your older pet needs to be reassured that the newcomer will not take over its territory. If he or she has a favorite sleeping place, don’t let the kitten sleep there. Provide the youngster with its own toys. Animals are often possessive of their food and feeding dishes. Ideally, since the kitten should be eating its own kitten food, have its feeding dishes in a different room or area as long as possible.
Pet Identification: Prevent your pets from being lost
From 2nd Chance 4 Pets, www.2ndchance4pets.org
If you’re a pet owner or thinking about adopting a new pet, few events can cause more panic or heartache than discovering that your pet is missing.
Although few lost pets are found, you can increase the likelihood of recovering a pet by putting a proper I.D. on your pet. There are several options for identifying pets – I.D. tags, microchips, tattoos and national pet registries. The I.D. tag has been around since the 19 th century, and it’s the first thing someone looks for when they find a pet. So, consider a tag first.
The best I.D. tag should be highly visible and easy to read (even at night). If a tag is hard to read, and someone has to take it off to read it, the results could be disastrous -- if your pet gets away.
Though the I.D. tag is effective, it’s of little use if you don’t keep it current. All too often, a pet is found wearing a tag with information that is illegible or out of date. So, here is a helpful tip: when you check your smoke alarm batteries twice a year also check your pet's I.D. tag: make sure that the tag is in good shape and that the information on it is still accurate.
Although ease of use makes the I.D. tag the best first line of defense, it is not enough to protect your pets. Pets lose their collars and tags all the time. So, do consider having your pet permanently identified with a tattoo or microchip.
Tattoos aren’t useful because they usually contain information that is not practical. For instance, your phone number and area code may change. Your driver’s license or social security number isn’t useful unless you are missing or wanted for something. And, the codes breeders use to tattoo pets before selling them are known only to the breeders – no one else. So, tattoos are not a reliable way to identify pets.
The most practical form of permanent pet identification is the microchip. The microchip is a tiny transponder that is inserted under your pet’s skin between its shoulder blades. It contains a unique identification number like a barcode that can be read using a “scanning” device. It doesn’t emit a signal that tells you where your pet is. And, it’s not hooked up to the police or anyone else. But it can save your pet’s life.
If your pet winds up in a shelter or a veterinarian’s office and has no visible form of identification, there is a good chance that your pet can be identified if it has a microchip. Not all shelters and veterinarians are equipped to scan for microchips. And, even if they have a scanner, it may not detect a microchip or read it accurately. But, having a microchip is your best insurance against losing your pet forever.
Knowing the limitations of I.D. tags, tattoos and microchips, consider one other option – the Pet Protector System. This is a 24-hour, nationwide service that works like “9-1-1” for pets. To learn more about this program, go to help4pets.com or call 1-800-HELP-4-PETS.
The bottom line is that you cannot count on any form of pet identification to ensure the return of a pet. So, be diligent. Make certain that your pet wears visible and current identification at all times (even in the house). And, give serious thought to micro-chipping your pet.
In addition to providing identification for your pet watch out for thieves. There are people who steal pets for all kinds of reasons. For instance, some will wait for you to post a reward and then pose as the finder. So, before you leave your pet unattended anywhere, ask yourself: “Would I leave my wallet here?” If not, then don’t leave your pet there either.
Tips for Shelters and Rescue Organizations
How LiveDeal can help shelters
With so many people coming to LiveDeal to find a pet (every pet listing typically receives 5-7 inquiries!), it is a great opportunity for rescue organizations to increase adoptions by finding more local people considering adding a pet to their family. LiveDeal’s focus on local means that people in your area will be able to both find and visit the pet of their dreams before making the decision to adopt.
Whether you are a small organization or a large nonprofit with a website, we have a solution that will increase the
number of people contacting you locally to find a pet. As a special introductory offer, those signing up
with LiveDeal, may sign up for one month free trial premium store.
Not only is LiveDeal a great way to increase adoptions, it’s a great way to find volunteers and foster donations and support for your cause. Use LiveDeal to increase awareness for your organization and to reach people in your community who care about pets.
How to get started
The steps are simple:
- Register for free on LiveDeal and open a free basic store, or take advantage of the extended free trial for shelters and sign up for a premium store.
- This format will allow you to describe your organization and to show all your listings on one page so people can browse all the animals available for adoption from your organization.
- Premium stores include a map to your facility and phone number (both optional), as well as a logo and additional promotion for listings.
- Post a free classified ad for each animal in the adoption category.
- In each ad, you can describe the animal, its breed, age, gender, temperament, and any other details about the personality, needs, likes, and dislikes of the animal.
- A picture is worth a thousand words and the first picture is always free!
- Manage pet profiles in MyLiveDeal.
- It’s easy to end a listing once the animal finds a new home, and easy to relist the ad if it takes a little more time to find the right family.
Keep in mind, that as a shelter, all of the same considerations mentioned in the above section for breeders, apply to shelter animals as well. You need to communicate as much information as possible about the animal in your description and, of course, you will need to vette the potential new homes to make sure they will be responsible owners.
In addition, it is generally recommended that animals not be adopted for free. A reasonable amount should be requested to cover the animal’s care, shots, and so forth. This small charge also encourages people to give some thought to the commitment necessary to raise a pet, before they adopt.
Additional LiveDeal benefits for shelters
Bonus for small organizations without a web site:
- By registering on LiveDeal, you will have a simple url (web address) that you can use as your website. Promote this website to increase the number of people viewing the animals and supporting your organization.
- With the premium store map option, you can also make it easy for local community members to stop by and visit your facility to see the animals.
Bonus for medium organizations with a basic web site:
- You can link to your LiveDeal listings from your own site or even showcase the pet profiles on your site using LiveDeal’s “Adwiz” solution. No need to describe the animals twice or to update multiple sites --LiveDeal technology provides your community with a reliable and familiar way to view the available pets.
- Sign up for LiveDeal’s affiliate program and earn revenue for every new registered user on LiveDeal that comes from your site.
Bonus for larger organizations with web sites and pet listings:
If you already have a spreadsheet with the descriptions of the pets in your facility, you use that same information to feed the listings onto LiveDeal, thereby increasing the number of times each animal is seen and increasing the likelihood of adoption. Contact us for more details.
Bill of Rights for Adopters
By Sue Sternberg, Rondout Valley Kennels, Inc.
- You have the right to adopt the best dog/cat you have ever met
- You have the right to adopt a dog or cat that has not bitten and broken skin on a human
- You have the right to adopt a dog that will be safe with passing children in the neighborhood
- You have the right to adopt a dog that has not killed another dog
- You have the right not to be blamed if the dog you adopt turns out aggressive
- You have the right not to be blamed for NOT adopting a dog that has been at the shelter for too long/ to choose not to adopt a dog and not to be made to feel guilty because the dog has been sheltered long-term
- You have the right not to be pressured to adopt an incompatible or dog you don't readily connect with because/even though the alternative is euthanasia
- You have the right to be educated, and explained the reasons why you are refused and adoption, so that you can make changes in order to become a conscientious pet owner
- You have the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, and professionalism
- You have the right to inquire and receive as much prior behavioral and medical history on the dog that is currently available
- You have the right to be informed of the dogs actual age, and if the actual age is not known, to receive the best guess from a shelter professional
- You have the right to be informed of the dogs actual breed or breed mix, and if not known, to receive the best guess from a shelter professional, with no euphemisms or avoiding breeds that conjure up public fear (e.g. Pit Bull, Chow, etc.)
- You have the right to expect the shelter to stand behind its dogs/puppies, and accept them back AT ANY TIME, for ANY REASON, should the need ever arise in the dog's lifetime
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