Why adopt a pet from a shelter?

[Robinrs]

I don't understand your mother's remark about cats having "human" feelings???

Feelings are not just for humans!

The reason humans and animals relate so well is because they feel the same things. They love, they hate, they fear, they crave, hey, some even TALK. My babies speak with their eyes, and they speak louder than most people I know. And my babies crave love more than food!

As for grateful, whenever I'm sitting down my Max jumps up on my knees with his front feet, reaches out for my face and gently pulls my face towards his. The look he gives me is of pure gratitude and humility. There is no doubt in my soul that it's what he feels. It's what makes us such chumps for them....

BTW, the picture I posted on another thread CLICK HERE showed one of my street cats and one of my shelter cats. Aaliyah was in Petsmart with the Humane Society when I found her and only 8 weeks old. She is the SWEETEST little baby girl I've ever had. I was given the telephone number of the owner, who had too many cats, so I called her to tell her she was in good hands. She had three children who just jumped for joy! I know she was loved but now she is cherished!

 

[goofygirl]

The reason humans and animals relate so well is because they feel the same things. They love, they hate, they fear, they crave, hey, some even TALK. My babies speak with their eyes, and they speak louder than most people I know. And my babies crave love more than food!

Amen to that!!

 

[adamak]

Look at this face -

I adopted him from Long Island Sheltie Rescue Fancier (blessed the group). If I don't, he is dead by now. My doggie Frege is the BEST thing that happened to me and my family / friends. Everyone loves him, including my cats.

It's like.... would you rather BUY a human baby, or would you rather adopt or give birth to one? And since I can't bear a dog, the only other option would be to adopt.

Please spread the message. 90% of the time, people don't even know you can adopt a dog, let alone adopt a certain breed.

 

[adamak]

One more thing. I have two other adopted cats. One is 17 years old, and the other one 5. They are both very adorable, and absolutely FINE in any standard.

Please do not be scared of pet adoption. It's a very small tiny little thing that we can do to help.

And one more best kept secret..... older pets are much much much much much much better and easier than puppies and kitties. Just like the term - off the shelf / open box / user-friendly / ready to integrate.... I promise you. They are much easier for 1st time owner (research a lot and talk to the host families first).

I cannot imagine any of my pets being put to sleep, JUST BECAUSE I don't have time / energy to adopt them.

 

[Planogirl]

In our area, it costs $134 to adopt a dog and $80 for a cat from the SPCA. But, assuming you have the money, it's worth it! The friendship is priceless and I hate the thought of these innocent animals being euthanized.

 

[catsrule]

Frege is very handsome.

 

[janette]

Originally posted by Planogirl
In our area, it costs $134 to adopt a dog and $80 for a cat from the SPCA. But, assuming you have the money, it's worth it! The friendship is priceless and I hate the thought of these innocent animals being euthanized.

Most of the city pounds have animals available for adoption all the time. The cost is minimal, usually the city registration and a fee that includes neuter/spay. In our city this is $50 total or only $15 if they are already neutered/spayed. They also do not have a no-kill policy, as they say they can't say they are full.

 

[katerkat]

OK, here's what I have... Tell me what you think:

City pounds can rarely keep animals long due to lack of space. Every animal that is adopted is a life saved. Thousands of animals have to be euthanized every day in the US, the vast majority of which would make someone a fantastic pet! My Tycho <points to Tycho’s picture> was scheduled to be euthanized the day after I adopted him. He is a wonderful cat who loves people and sits on my lap every night, begging for attention.
If you walk into your local shelter you will see all these hopeful eyes looking at you wondering if they will be going "home" with someone who will really take good care of them and love them. Shelter animals are often more loving and loyal and just happy to have a home. I think that shelter furbabies make the best pets because they are really appreciative towards whomever takes them away from their cages in the local shelter.
Many of them are abandoned or strays. Some have been abused. My Wedge <holds up another picture> was found in a car engine, and was abused before he ended up there. Though he’s shy with strangers, especially males due to what happened to him as a kitten, he’s still a loving cat with an extrememly loud purr with people he knows.
The shelter takes great strides in really getting the right adoptive parent to the right animal. The people at the humane society are there because they love animals. And they get to know the animals and can help in matching the right animal to the right family. The shelter is there simply to care for the animals, while a breeder and pet stores are usually trying to make a profit.
Many shelters have already done the first rounds of shots, as well as spaying or neutering, which saves money at the vetrinarian. Other shelters, like the one I adopted Wedge and Tycho from, give rebates when you spay or neuter the pet.
Older pets are much better and easier than puppies and kitties, especially for a 1st time owner. Older cats and dogs have a MUCH harder time finding homes this time of year, because it’s kitten season. I adopted Wedge as a kitten and Tycho as an adult, and it was much easier for Tycho to adjust than it was to train Wedge. You can get pets that are already house-trained or older so they are not as rambunctious as babies.
If you DON'T, that's one more pet like Tycho or Wedge that may be euthanized to make room for more unwanted animals.

 

[Kallison]

We got our labbie at 11 mos. The previous owners worked all day and kept him crated constantly. He sticks to me like glue, I am definitely his momma. His head is on my feet right now. I really believe rescued animals know they have been saved and are more grateful to you.

 

[christineann]

Why get a pet from the animal shelter??

Two words: why not?

 

[cassie]

I have a dog and cat from the humane shelter. The dog, a shep/x with mange. She had been there for 2 weeks and not evaluated when I wanted her. They did a quicky exam, found she had mange and gave me a shampoo treatment for her. I took her to my vet, and her treatments lasted 6 weeks. But she has been one terrific dog. I enrolled her in obedience classes which she excelled at. She was afraid of kids at first, but over the years she has come to love them. I've had her for 9 years now and she hasn't has any medical problems. She and I are blessed for finding each other.

My cat Tom is a love. But when I got him he was short haired. within a few months his hair grew out long. I wonder if that was why he was surrundered. Oh the hair balls!! I have to shave him down as he does not like to be groomed.

I feel giving an animal a second chance is so gratifying. Any animal I purchase is for keeps. So far I found with proper knowledge you can give a second hand pet a wonderful life.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by janette
Most of the city pounds have animals available for adoption all the time. The cost is minimal, usually the city registration and a fee that includes neuter/spay. In our city this is $50 total or only $15 if they are already neutered/spayed. They also do not have a no-kill policy, as they say they can't say they are full.

Wow janette, I need to come to Dallas when I'm ready to give another kitty a home. Frisco doesn't have a pound but contracts with the SPCA in McKinney to handle these things and the prices I quoted were from that agency. I think the SPCA is a super organization but they are a bit pricey. I'd rather donate to them and maybe rescue a pet from the pound.

 

[sha_lyn]

Planogirl
thts very close to what they use to charge atthe county animal control here 95 per cat 125 (or was it 135) for a dog. They had a huge kill ratio because no one oculd affrod to adpt. They finally came down on the price a few months ago. I've heard yet if adoptions incread yet. Ithink the new prices are 50 ofr a cat and 75 for a dog. Fro mwhat I understand this does not include spaying/nuetering but they give you a $25 certificate for certain vets in the area (of course the cheapest charges 75 to neuter a cat, and the prices go up from there).
My kitty is from a no kill rescure organization, and I paid about 125 for her, but she was declawed and spayed (which If ound out later they did not perform, but of course charged me for)

 

[Kitty 34]

For my son's 12th birthday we surprised him and took him to our local animal shelter where he got to pick any cat he wanted!! This son is now 16 and Kippy, his kitty is 4............he's still loving that birthday present every day!!!