Put
thought into choice of a pet
OCTOBER 29th, 2003
Kansas
City Star
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI -
The kids are begging for a dog. Or the kids have left home and
you have an empty nest to fill.
Your
young dog needs a playmate, or your older dog needs a
companion. You need a walking partner, someone to sit
beside you while you read a book, or both. For whatever
reason, you're in the market for a dog. What do you do?
If
you're not going to show your dog, consider a mixed breed.
They're just as cute, loving and smart as purebreds and
are less likely to exhibit the physical maladies that
may come from inbreeding. With a mixed breed, you don't
have to worry about purchasing a puppy-mill dog that
may be traumatized, unsocialized or difficult to train
because it has spent its entire life in a small cage.
Whether
you're looking for love regardless of pedigree, or have
a real need for a breed-specific temperament or ability,
contact local shelters and rescue groups. They have both.
The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
has designated October as Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month,
and for good reason. Depending on whose statistics you
use, 4 million to 11 million dogs and cats are destroyed
in this country each year simply because no one is willing
to give them a home. About 25,000 are destroyed annually
in the Kansas City area.
Not
only do shelters and rescues have the broadest selection,
but they also have staff and volunteers who interact
with the animals and can give you some idea what the
animals' special needs and abilities may be. Some even
have foster programs, where shelter animals go to volunteers'
homes for socialization and training.
You
can get additional information about the selection and
adoption process at the new No More Homeless Pets KC
Web site (www.kcpets.org)
and you can preview photos of available animals by linking
to local shelters and rescues through Petfinder.com.
Before you actually go to the shelter or rescue, consider
the size, personality, age and energy level that best
fit your lifestyle.
When
you go, take the whole family. If you're looking for
a companion for your current dog, call and see if you
can take him or her.
Look
at the available animals, narrow the field, ask questions,
interact with your potential choices. Then make a commitment,
not only to provide a good and loving home for the life
of the animal, but to do your part to end pet overpopulation
by ensuring that your new friend is spayed or neutered. - Dana
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