Before Adopting
Although you can find the perfect companion at local shelters, getting a pet should never be an impulse decision. Careful research and planning are essential, since being responsible for the happiness and well being of your pet requires more than just providing adequate food, water, and shelter. Potential pet parents should consider and agree with the following points before adopting a dog:
1. ANIMALS ARE NOT DISPOSABLE!
- Dogs are thinking, feeling creatures. They bond deeply with their families, and they deserve the same devotion from you.
- Bringing a pet into your home should be a life-long commitment, which can easily be 10-15 years.
2. PROTECT YOUR PET'S HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Prepare for costs associated with basic and emergency veterinary care, quality food, and supplies.
- Don't be guilty of "dog storage" by leaving your dog in the back yard 24/7. Exercise your dog daily to make him your companion.
- Spay or neuter for long term health and happiness. This not only makes a better pet, but can also prevent certain types of cancer.
- Insure that your dog is properly identified with a tag, tattoo, or microchip. At a minimum always have your dog wear a collar with and ID tag.
- Obedience train your dog. Training helps you to better communicate with your dog, strengthens the bond between you, and insures that your pet will be a good canine citizen.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOUR HOME
- Consider apartment pet restrictions, space, and outside access if you are gone all day.
- Pay attention to allergies.
- If travel and job relocation is an issue for you, then it is also an issue for your pet. Your commitment means making arrangements to provide quality care while you're away, or to insure that the transition to your new home is as easy as possible for your pets.
- Some large dogs may be too strong or active for small children. Small dogs may be too delicate for active children.
- Sometimes puppies and children don't mix. All puppies chew and mouth. It is a by-product of teething. Careful supervision and education is essential. Nipping is also normal puppy behavior and should be discouraged, but should not be considered and aggressive behavior.
4. TEACH YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY ABOUT PETS
- Educate yourself about pet care before you adopt. Responsibilities such as feeding and bathing, cleaning up feces, and walking are all part of caring for your pet.
- Take some time to understand dog behavior and develop realistic expectations. Many books and videos are available on the subject.
5. MAKE SURE THE DOG YOU CHOOSE SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE
- All dogs require daily exercise; however, active dogs require daily rigorous exercise, such as running or interaction with other dogs. If you are not up to the task, choose a dog with a calmer, less active temperament.
- Someone in the home should be designated the primary caretaker, so the pet's daily needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.
Remember, careful thought and planning before adopting will spare the animal the stress of being returned, and will insure your pet and your family have a long and satisfying life together. If you are confident that you are ready for a four-legged member of your family try beginning your search on your dog page or if you have further questions or need more information please contact us.
Before Adopting | Spay and Neuter | Low Cost Clinics | Responsible Pet Ownership | Pet Ownership Links
Spay and Neuter
Did you know that in the greater Los Angeles County shelters alone on average 20 pets are killed an hour? That is 475 per day, 3325 per week, and over 170,000 per year. Unfortunately, more pets flood into local shelters every day. One female dog and its offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in six years, and there just aren't enough homes to support all these loving animals. Isn't it time we, as a community, start to do something about this? Well, the good news is you can do something about it by being a responsible pet owner and spaying or neutering your pet.
Please be part of the solution not the problem. There are many low cost clinics in Southern California. Below are some contacts to help you locate a low cost spay/neuter clinic in your area. If you don't see a number for your area please try the national referral hotline at 1-800-248-SPAY.
P.S. - Encourage your friends, family, and everyone else to spay and neuter their pets. If we all work together we can help to control the pet population, save lives, and reduce then eliminate the number of pets put down in shelters.
Before Adopting | Spay and Neuter | Low Cost Clinics | Responsible Pet Ownership | Pet Ownership Links
Low Cost Clinics
PV Pet Hospital - Dr. Fachino, 1020 S. PCH, Redondo Beach, CA 310-540-5656 www.pvpet.com
Nation Referral Hotline - Low cost spay/neuter referrals - 1-800-248-SPAY (7729)
Animal Birth Control Clinics - South Bay 310-539-3112, West L.A. 310-444-3114
Animal Health Foundation - 562-948-4979 (financial assistance for seniors 65+ only)
Animal Medical Center 16540 Harbor Blvd #A, Fountain Valley 714-531-1155
Baldwin Animal Shelter - 626-960-2841
Benevolent Animal Rescue Committee - San Bernadino - 909-389-9552 www.rescuers.com/barc/speuter.html
Cat and Dog Rescue - 213-525-1471
Cats in Need - Diamond Bar 909-860-1107, Garden Grove 714-530-4563, Pomona 909-622-0121, San Gabriel 626-337-4306, Santa Ana 714-838-0463
Friendship for Animals 909-980-7711
Humane Society Rescue Team (Fillmore residents only) 805-524-4542
L.A. Animal Services (Los Angeles residents only) 213-893-8400
L.A. City Spay/Neuter Voucher Distributors www.rescueguide.com/vouchers.html
Pet Assistance Foundation Long Beach 562-920-1216, L.A. 213-869-8110, San Fernando 818-709-0900, San Gabriel Valley 626-330-1983, South Bay 310-372-9593, Simi Valley 805-583-6143, Santa Clarita 805-259-1578, Victor Valley 760-247-6123, San Bernadino 909-341-5643. No. San Diego County 619-697-PETS, San Diego 619-745-7986
Santa Monica Shelter (Santa Monica residents only) 310-450-6179
The SPCA LA 1-888-SPCA-LA1 (888-772-2521)
Spay and Neuter Animal Network 805-646-1919
Ventura County Animal Regulations 800-660-5474
Before Adopting | Spay and Neuter | Low Cost Clinics | Responsible Pet Ownership | Pet Ownership Links
Responsible Pet Ownership
Being a responsible pet owner is much more than just providing adequate water, food and shelter for your pet. Domestic pets are completely dependent on their owners for their welfare.
- Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment. If you can't make the commitment, don't get the pet.
- Choose a pet that fits your lifestyle. Don't get a high energy dog if you don't have the time to exercise him. If you can't afford grooming or can't do the grooming yourself pick a low maintenance dog.
- Spay or neuter your pets... there are too many homeless animals already without adding to the problem.
- Don't make your dog a "backyard dog" or an "outside dog"... dogs strive on companionship and need to be with their human pack.
- Be aware of weather conditions. Leaving your dog in the car on a hot day or in the yard without shade and water puts your dog's life at risk.
- Make sure your home is pet safe. Pesticides, medications, household cleaners, and some houseplants (dieffenbachia, philodendron, hyacinth, and mistletoe) can be deadly to your pet. Keep them out of reach or better yet only choose plants that don't pose a danger to your pet.
- Provide veterinary care to your pet. Keep their vaccinations up to date and make sure they have annual checkups.
- Keep and ID tag on your pet at all times... it is your pet's ticket back home. Both dogs and cats need ID!! Microchipping is good too, but an external tag is essential... it could make the difference between a neighbor returning your pet to you or turning them in to the pound!
- Obedience train and socialize your animal.
- Don't let your pets run loose. Dogs should be walked on leashes. Any outdoor off leash access should be secure in a safely fenced area. An outdoor cat's average life span is 3 years, an indoor cat's average life span is 14 years.
- Provide your pet with the proper diet. Obesity can be as deadly as malnutrition. Be aware that some foods can be deadly, such as chocolate, and fatty foods can cause pancreatitis.
- Make sure your pets get the proper amount of exercise.
- Take extra precautions during holidays like the 4th of July and New Years Eve... these are the scariest times for pets. Make sure your pets are secured indoors. Also protect your pets and use extra caution on Halloween.
- Be kind to your pets and show them love... remember you are their whole world.
- Take special care of your pet during their senior years.
Before Adopting | Spay and Neuter | Low Cost Clinics | Responsible Pet Ownership | Pet Ownership Links
Pet Ownership Links
Before Adopting | Spay and Neuter | Low Cost Clinics | Responsible Pet Ownership | Pet Ownership Links
