ACQUIRING A PET IN 2024 – FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Happy New Year!
I have been devoting the last few columns to addressing animal care during the festive season and the issue of acquiring pets at this time; which is quite common in households, as families seek to add joy to their homes by presenting their children with the little furry kitten or bouncing puppy that was first on the list of requests to Santa.
Last week, we commenced discussion on the acquisition, and expounded on the value of the human/animal bond. In particular, I implored readers to adopt pets from the animal shelters in Guyana, those being so deserving of a good life in a caring home.
It is a fact that some “breeders” (“in-breeders”) ensure their dogs are mated at a time that would produce puppies during the Christmas Season, when the business is very lucrative. Female dogs come into “heat” about twice yearly, and their pregnancies would last for approximately 2 months; therefore, it is not difficult to calculate when the pups would be ready for sale.
Like all babies, puppies and kittens are the cutest things. No wonder parents and children fall in love with these wonderful, interactive animals. Before we even think of adopting/acquiring a pet, there are other general and specific discussions on the matter.

General
It has been said that mankind is divided into two categories: those who love dogs, and those who love cats. Well, whether you prefer the gratitude-showing, devoted tail-wagger or the independent, aloof feline with its quiet grace and mysterious charm, there are certain common activities that you, as owner/caregiver, must carry out if the pet is to perpetually experience happiness in the home.
All children love animals! Whether it is a child at Kabakaburi with his pet monkey, or the little city girl who has just acquired a live ball of fur and fun. And
all animals require love unconditionally and infinitely. However, love alone will not keep the pet healthy and the owner happy. Care for your pet is a huge responsibility. Affection is not enough; you need some degree of ‘know-how’.
So, when we are talking about your choice of pet, right away, let me advise you that although most animals can become pets to a lesser or greater degree, one should shy away from keeping as pets ‘exotic’ animals about which one knows very little.
For example, one would have to know a lot about the physiology, behavioural and dietary habits of snakes before they can be kept as pets. In fact, much debate can be generated as to whether monkeys or birds (macaws, parrots, etc.) or deer should be kept as pets.
How often have we not seen “Polly” at the clinic with all sorts of problems due to poor feeding regimes and parasites in her ungroomed feathers.
Poor “Jacko”, the monkey that is instinctively mischievous, harvests the wrath of his owner, who, only a couple of months ago, had found his antics cute. The belt around Jacko’s waist is tied tighter and the chain is made shorter.
And “Bambi” the deer invariably succumbs to a nutritional imbalance, as no effort is made to research its feed requirements.
Such treatment does not demonstrate caring for your pet; it is torture.
In the case of the more common pets (cats/dogs), you have to be practically-minded. If, for example, a member of the family is allergic to fur, you shouldn’t keep cats; because they are largely house animals, and will constantly shed hair in places where the best pointer broom or vacuum cleaner would not reach.
And if your desire is for a dog, do you have enough yard space for the puppy, when it grows into an adult and requires a kennel and needs to exercise?
In fact, one of your most important decisions is whether you would choose to keep a cat or a dog, because even though they are both four-footed and furry, that’s the end of the similarity.
A dog craves your attention and affection. He will fawn over you, and his tail is the barometer expressing his happiness. A cat, on the other hand, doesn’t even remotely consider the need to please you. She is individualistic and full of surprises.
A dog is a mixer, a cat is often a loner, and mixes only when it wants to. So, as a potential caretaker of a canine or feline ward, you have to decide whether you want a dog because of its responsiveness to you, or whether your personality prefers the more subtle signs of affection, such as those of a cat.
Be sure you don’t take into your family a cat that you wish to act like a dog, or vice-versa. No such animal exists.
Next week, we will deal with specific issues before your ultimate choice is made to acquire/adopt a companion animal.