| When considering the birth rates among | | | | surroundings filled with fears based upon |
| animals, it is not hard to understand why | | | | earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of |
| animal shelters are always filled with | | | | their previous owners. Some dogs will be |
| animals waiting to be adopted. Shockingly, it | | | | reluctant to go from one room to another, |
| has been calculated that over a seven year | | | | will shy away when corrected and hide upon |
| period, one female cat and her offspring will | | | | hearing a loud noise. New owners must be |
| produce approximately 420,000 kittens. | | | | patient with them and speak to them softly |
| Likewise, one female dog and her offspring | | | | and affectionately. Dogs are not stupid and |
| will produce 67,000 puppies during a six year | | | | they will gradually come to understand their |
| period. Since there are more animals looking | | | | new environment and show their appreciation |
| for homes than there are people who want to | | | | for your loving care. |
| adopt them, some 6.5 million animals are | | | | |
| euthanized each year. | | | | When contemplating adoption, prospective new |
| | | | owners should be prepared to deal with the |
| Given the statistics cited above, adopting an | | | | fact that their new adoptee may not be |
| animal can be a kind and loving thing to do. | | | | completely housebroken. Previous owners may |
| However, before making the final decision to | | | | have been irresponsible in their approach to |
| adopt, there are a number of things to | | | | this training; furthermore, when the dog was |
| consider. | | | | placed in the shelter it continued to do its |
| | | | 'business' right in its pen. Housebreaking is |
| Many of the animals awaiting adoption in | | | | not a complex chore and should not deter |
| shelters have had very rough beginnings. Some | | | | someone from adopting a pet. Some owners will |
| were abused, some abandoned and some were | | | | use a cage to assist in this training, while |
| 'turned in' because the owners did not have | | | | others will just take the dog out for a walk |
| time for them. Many were left alone for long | | | | several times a day. Fenced yards and doggie |
| periods and some were never properly potty | | | | doors are minimal expenses that pay extra |
| trained. In short, when adopting an animal | | | | dividends on cold or rainy days. |
| you must be prepared to work with them. They | | | | |
| may come to you cowed or with feelings of | | | | Adopted dogs are subject to all of the |
| trepidation and may be overly sensitive to | | | | behavioral problems commonly associated to |
| your tone of voice or to any commands you | | | | dogs in general. These would include digging, |
| might give them. You will need to be patient | | | | jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking |
| and by all means, loving. When they finally | | | | and nipping. There are proven solutions to |
| realize that they can trust you they will | | | | all of these 'offenses.' If your dog is prone |
| reward you with more affection and loyalty | | | | to digging, and always digs in one area, |
| than you can imagine. | | | | there are a number of effective repellent |
| | | | sprays that work well. If he digs under your |
| Adopting a dog as a means of entertaining a | | | | fence, a little buried chicken wire works |
| small child is not recommended. A dog is not | | | | wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles |
| a toy and should not be treated as one. Small | | | | filled with water should be kept at hand to |
| children should be trained to understand | | | | break a dog from jumping up and to combat |
| 'animal etiquette'. In other words, animals | | | | incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face |
| are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. | | | | immediately following, or during, the |
| They should understand that being overly | | | | offensive behavior will usually bring about a |
| aggressive with a new dog, especially one | | | | quick behavior modification. |
| recently adopted, could cause the dog to | | | | |
| react by biting or running away. If feeding | | | | Visiting an animal shelter can be an |
| and exercising the dog is to be the | | | | emotional experience for an animal lover. It |
| responsibility of a child, an adult should | | | | is difficult to see all the animals in their |
| follow up to be sure these things are getting | | | | pens and not want to take them all home. Such |
| done. It is not the fault of the dog if a | | | | feelings are understandable and commendable; |
| child fails to meet his or her obligations | | | | however, just be sure that prior to adoption |
| and the dog should not have to suffer for the | | | | you consider all of the ramifications. And |
| child's failure. | | | | remember, your best friend is waiting for you |
| | | | at your local animal shelter. |
| Many adopted dogs will come to the new | | | | |