Let us look today at some other actions that would help you to make an intelligent choice of pet from an animal shelter, or from a friend, or from a reliable breeder. I would suggest that you avoid making a rash and immediate decision. You may even put your choice on hold, and go back on another day. It is helpful to see a dog on more than one occasion. Of course, you have to recognise that another person may be prepared to take the pet immediately. I would propose that you negotiate with the administrator of the shelter for a 24-hour “hold”.
The second time you visit, you may wish to bring a close friend, your spouse, and your children. I would strongly encourage that all your family members be engaged in the process of selecting your pet. You may even ask your veterinarian to accompany you. He/she can be of assistance, especially if this is your first dog, or if you have had bad experiences with selecting the right dog in the past. A recommended caregiver with valuable experience on rearing of pets can also provide for guidance relative to one’s choice of pet.
Use your head as well as your heart. Although your initial emotions and reactions to a dog are a good starting point in your selection process, please do not let these feelings be your only guide. Your new dog will be a part of your family for years to come, so base your decision on your objective observations of the dog’s physical and behavioural exhibitions, as well as whether it may be a source of allergic reactions to you or your family members. This is especially (but not only) true of cats.
If you did not find your ideal pet on your first visit to a shelter, do not give up! Several repeat visits may be necessary to find the pet which is compatible with you, your family, and other pets that you may have in your home.
A quick thought directed at young people looking for a pet: Consider volunteering at the GSPCA Shelter, or any other bona fide shelter. Dedicating some of your time to a shelter, especially during holidays, is a wonderful and gratifying experience. Once you have handled a wide variety of dogs/cats, you would have a much better idea as to which species/breed of animal best suits your needs. Eventually, one would steal your heart and fit perfectly into your household.
All of the points documented are important, and should be heeded. You want the trip from the shelter to your home to be one-way. It is terrible for the pet, and for your family, if the animal has to be returned to the shelter. Serious shelters would want to assess your reactions to the potential adoptee even before you take the animal home. They may even request that you allow adequately trained members of their staff to visit and assess the condition of the new home that would be accommodating the potential ward. Of course, no money (payment) is involved. You may make a donation to the shelter, but it is neither compulsory nor is it a prerequisite to ensure that you receive the pet of your choice.
Finally, and in a nutshell, the central issue in adoption is whether a new owner can provide a loving, safe, secure and permanent home for the pet. Shelters obviously prefer to give the animal to a household which would afford the pet the necessary tender loving care. We call the new home a forever home. Inherent in that name is the tacit agreement by the individual/family that the welfare of an animal taken from the shelter would be their responsibility for the rest of that animal’s life.
If perchance the adopter can no longer keep the animal, the pet should be returned to the shelter from whence it came.
It would, of course, be of greater benefit to all concerned if the adopter, for whatever reason unable to keep the animal, finds a nurturing and happy home for the pet, making sure that the people of the new home would take good care of the pet for the rest of its life. Please ensure that the shelter is informed of any decision to rehome the pet you adopted.
In concluding on the ‘Adoption’ theme, we would like to again refer to concerns that shelters in other countries have experienced, which might migrate to Guyana. One such issue has to do with superstition. For example, beliefs that black cats, say, are harbingers of bad luck. Well, such myths are just that – nonsensical legends, with no truth to the stories.
In the USA, it has been reported, some shelters have introduced policies halting or limiting the adoption of black cats immediately prior to Halloween, for fear that the animals could be used in some evil exercise involving torture of the black cat.
Also, shelters in Germany have been reported to ban the adoption of pets as Christmas gifts, in an attempt to reduce unwanted animals being dumped after the holidays. Prospective adopters are requested to return in January.
Equally unacceptable is the adoption of cute, fluffy female dogs, which are then turned into “puppy factories” by uncaring owners who breed them relentlessly without adequate care, until the mother dog dies of exhaustion.
It is therefore incumbent on serious shelters to assess the adopter and monitor the wellbeing of the adoptee in its new home.
