Toby-a Haven Adoptee

Riley

Kylie & Sara

Adopting the Right Dog for You

Why Spay-Neuter?

If You Lose Your Pet

Should You Give Pets as Gifts?

Adopting the right dog for you:

There's one problem with adopting a dog from an animal shelter: The selection of available dogs can overwhelm you! Man's best friends come in all shapes, sizes, and, of course, personalities.

The good news is that almost any shelter dog can make a wonderful, lifelong companion for you and your family. The bad news is that some of those bundles of energy will make less appropriate pets for you than others.

The key is simply knowing what to look for. Here are a few things to think about:

Examine Yourself
Choosing the right dog generally means identifying the type of animal that matches your lifestyle and wants. If you live alone in a small, third-floor apartment, for instance, adopting a large, active retriever mix might not be the best choice. Conversely, if you have a family of four and are looking for a companion to match your active lifestyle, such an animal may be perfect. A dog's size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility with children should all figure into your decision.

Learn about Different Breeds and Mixes
So how do you find out which dogs have the qualities you're looking for? Information is the key: Learn about various breeds, visit with animals at the shelter, and speak with an adoption counselor for guidance.

Dogs fall into one of two categories: purebreds or mixed breeds. Most animal shelters have plenty of both. The size, appearance, and temperament of most mixed breed dogs can be predicted with some accuracy. After all, mixed breeds are simply combinations of different breeds. So if you know the ancestry of a particular mixed-breed puppy or can identify what type of dog he is (e.g., terrier mix), you have a good chance of knowing how he'll turn out.

Mixed breeds offer several advantages over purebreds. When you adopt a mixed breed, you benefit from the combined traits of two or more breeds. You also get a dog who's likely to be free of some of the problems common to certain purebred dogs. Mixed breeds, in fact, are often considered the more "natural" dog. When you adopt a mixed breed, you adopt a totally unique companion.

Visit with Shelter Animals
While you're at the shelter, keep in mind that it is a stressful place for any animal. Quite often, a dog's true colors won't show until he's away from other animals and the shelter environment. So even if you walk past a kennel with a dog who isn't vying for your attention, don't count him out. He may just be a little scared or lonely.

An adoption counselor can help you select canines who'll match your lifestyle. When you spend time with each animal, you'll want to ask yourself:

• How old is the dog? You may want to select a puppy as your new companion. However, young dogs usually require much more training and supervision than more mature dogs. If you lack the time or patience to housetrain your pup or to correct problems like chewing and jumping, an adult dog may be a better choice.
• How shy or assertive is the dog? Although an active, bouncy dog might catch your eye, a more quiet or reserved dog might be a better match if you don't have a particularly active lifestyle.
• How good is the animal with children? Learning about a dog's past through a history sheet or from an adoption counselor can be helpful, but past information isn't always available. In general, an active dog who likes to be touched and is not sensitive to handling and noise is a dog who'll probably thrive in a house full of kids. Also keep in mind that puppies under four months of age, because of their fragility and special needs, often won't be adopted out to families with young children.
• How good is the animal with other pets? If there are other pets in your home you will want to be sure that the dog you have selected is one who gets along well with other pets. Ask the adoption counselor if the dog you are interested in has any history of aggression towards other pets or if they have "tested" the dog's attitude toward other pets. You also might want to take your current dog/s to meet the new dog before you make the final choice - just to be sure that everyone is going to get along.  Just because you like the new dog doesn't mean that your curent dog or cat will like them!

Choose a Pal for Life

Every dog in the shelter can provide you with boundless love and companionship, and every dog certainly deserves a lifelong home. But some dogs are better for you and your lifestyle than others. That's why you should take the time to make a thoughtful choice. After all, you're choosing a pal who'll be with you 10, 15, or even more years. Select the right dog, and you and your new companion will enjoy those years to the fullest.

~ Courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States ~

If this brief guide isn't enough info to help select your perfect dog, then try reading one of the following:

Kilcommons, Brian & Wilson, Sarah (1999). Paws to Consider: Choosing the Right Dog for You and Your Family. Warner Books.

Kilcommons, Brian & Capuzzo (1996). Mutts, America's Dogs: A Guide to Choosing, Loving, and Living with America's Most Popular Canine. Warner Books.

Rubenstein, Eliza & Kalina, Shari (1996). The Adoption Option: Choosing and Raising the Shelter Dog for You. Hungry Minds, Inc.

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Why spay-neuter:

Each year millions of dogs and cats are killed because there are not enough homes for them all. Spaying or neutering your dog or cat will not only ensure that it has a longer, healthier life, but you will also help prevent unwanted litters and homelessness.

What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?

Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for only a few hours. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.

Spaying or neutering is good for your pet

• Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first heat.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.

Spaying or neutering is good for you

• Spaying prevents your pet from giving birth to unwanted puppies or kittens.
• Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
  

Spaying and neutering are good for the community

• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
• Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
• Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
• Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.

The bottom line

Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.

~ Courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States~

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If you lose your pet:

First and foremost, remember to STAY CALM and don't give up hope. Losing a pet is frightening, but many mistakes can be made and time wasted if your actions are not thought out with a clear head. These guidelines are designed for quick, easy reference and are listed in the order you should proceed.

START THE SEARCH IMMEDIATELY

• Do not hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, neighbors, etc…
• Working in groups of 2 or more, start searching around the area the animal was last seen
• Distribute and post flyers with pictures of the animal and/or detailed description: name, breed, color, sex, markings or tattoos, weight, collar or tags
• Don't forget children on bikes can cover a large area
• Cell phones will help to communicate with others in the search party
• Try different times of day or night. Cats are more active early morning and at night. Dogs may be active anytime and may tend to run farther. Also, dogs may burrow into self made dens and cats may climb trees.
• DO NOT CHASE AND NEVER YELL AT THE ANIMAL! Establish contact by calling and whistling. Be cautious, however, about calling your pet across a busy road. Remember- stay calm. Attempt to stop or slow traffic, keep your own safety in mind
• Bring a flashlight for evening search. Carry a leash or slip collar and carrying case to catch the animal and prevent escape
• Systematically extend the search to surrounding areas. Drive through the neighborhood while calling calmly
• Bring canned pet food warmed in a microwave to entice your pet. The warming intensifies the aroma.

CONTACT EACH OF THESE AND/OR VISIT DAILY

• Local Humane Society
• Animal Emergency Clinics
• County Animal Shleter/Animal Control Facilities
• Local Veterinarians
• Contact immediately- some facilities euthanize within 5 days
• Place a "Lost Pet" advertisement in your local newspaper - this is extremely important and it may be free in your local newspaper

Do not underestimate how far an animal can travel in a short amount of time. Also, your pet's appearance may change through weight loss or matted and dirty coat. Someone else's interpretation of your description of your pet may vary greatly. Collars can be broken off and your pet may no longer be wearing tags. Everyone who knows the animal should help visit these places in person, repeatedly.

Also call your Local police, State Troopers, County Sheriffs: Remember- DO NOT USE 911 to report your missing pet. Phone numbers are in the "government pages" of your phone book.

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Should you give pets as gifts?:

If you are wishing to give a pet (dog or cat) as a gift, please consider giving a gift certificate to your local humane society or animal shelter instead. The reasons for this are fourfold:

•  The choice of a companion animal should be personal and well thought out. Only the recipient really knows if s/he has the time, energy, and money to care for a family pet.

•  If the pet is a dog or a cat, there is a huge range of choices from puppy to adult, small to large, short hair to shaggy, calm to active, etc. Again, only the recipient can decide what is really the right dog for him/her.

•  Part of the joy of pet ownership is in the anticipation and process of selecting your own pet. This important part of pet ownership should not be taken away by well-meaning friends or relatives. Selecting your own dog or cat is an important part in the bonding process with that animal.

•  Puppies or kittens adopted on impulse from humane societies or pet shops are often returned when the joy of “puppyhood” wears off and they are no longer cute, adorable puppies. As an older dog, the animal is much less likely to be adopted a second time, and the prime “gift giving season” of Christmas has already passed.

•  Most humane organizations require a personal interview with the adoptee and completion of an adoption application. The adoptions with the highest long-term success rate are those adoptions in which the adoptee’s preferences and situation have been carefully matched with a particular animal’s type, temperament, and physical characteristics.

The only possible exception to these guidelines would be in cases in which a parent is adopting for his/her own child. Parents may have restrictions which the child might have difficulty understanding such as size constraints, family member allergies, etc. Most children still would enjoy choosing their own pet even if it means that they must comply with reasonable limitations. Parents can make the process a surprise with gifts under the tree such as pet food, pet supplies, a picture of a puppy or kitten with the gift certificate attached, etc.

At The Haven for Dogs we recently had the experience of trying to help a Mother and her young son select the right dog for them. It was quickly clear that the little boy didn’t want a dog, in fact he seemed to dislike being close to the dogs. As they left the little boy told his Mother “I told you…I want a cat”. Luckily, Mom decided not to adopt a dog for now. How sad it would have been if a dog had already been chosen for his birthday.

Even if a gift certificate is purchased and never used, it is better than a giving a live animal that was not really wanted. Humane societies and shelters are full of unwanted pets. Gift certificates can be given to someone else to use or they can be considered a tax-deductible donation. Even if the certificate is never used, no companion animal had to be returned to be homeless again.

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Contact us to adopt the right dog for you and your family. Or, inquire about The Haven or our dogs.

PHONE: 859-887-8733 If you are interested in one of our dogs, - please call us! We will return your call! Thank you!

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