Shelter Pets: Pet Adoption Myths

Pet adoption is a great way of getting pets in a much less price.  Pet adoption is also a great way of  taking care and proving homes for pets and animals that have been left or sometimes even abused by their previous owners.

Adopting pets from shelters just charge an adoption fee which is very far from the regular prices of animals in pet stores.  Adoption fees range from $35 to $200 and almost always include medical treatment like vaccines, de-worming, and spaying (neuter).  There are even shelters that offer follow up veterinary services to ensure that pets remain healthy and able to get the necessary vaccines. 

Animal shelters provide great choices for adoptable pets.  Shelters not only have adult animals, but they also have kittens and puppies that a pet parent can choose from. However there are some myths about animal shelters and why it is not a good place to adopt from.

Many people believe that pets in shelters have behavioral problems.  It is important to remember that these animals have bad experiences from their previous owners.  They might have experienced neglect and abuse.  Animals in shelters normally exhibit minor behavioral problems.  Some of these pets may be scared while others can be excited.  Animals that show major behavioral problems are not put up for adoption.

Animal shelters perform screen test to know the temperament of animals in the shelters.  The shelters try to get as much information they could get from the animals’ previous owners.  Soon-to-be pet parents are happier and at ease to know that their new pet has healthy and friendly temperament. 

Since these animals have been neglected, abused and abandoned, the next parent should display more patience to train them. Also since these pets already know and encountered difficult hardships they display more loyalty and devotion to their new owners. There are some pet parents who have adopted from shelters saying that their pets are more loyal and loving than other pets.

Another shelter myth says that pets from shelters and pounds are mature animals and cannot be trained.  Most pets in shelter are older animals but there are also kittens and puppies that is available for adoption. 

Adoptable animals from shelters can be trained like other animals.  The important thing during training is to be consistent, patient and understanding.  Animals (regardless if they are in shelter or in homes) respond to good, effective, loving and humane training techniques.

There are shelters that offer the new pet parent the opportunity to participate in obedience training and pet parenting classes.  These sessions serve as a transition period for the pet and the parent to bond together. 

It is commonly believed that pets in animal shelters are inferior to purebred animals.  According to the Humane Society of the United States there is an average of 25 to 30 percent of purebreds in animal shelters. 

Also, mixed bred animals are not inferior to purebred animals.  Animal shelters have pets that are healthier and have better temperaments than purebred.  Interested pet parents just have to talk to the shelter and provide the what kind of behavior they would like to have in their pets.  Mixed bred pets oftentimes exhibit traits of several breeds.  If a pet parent like to have a purebred because of its temperament, the shelter would likely have a mixed bred that exhibits the qualities of the purebred. 

Going to a shelter for a pet adoption is a great way of helping animals in need in a much affordable and economic way.  Adopting a pet from a shelter is not only a solution for the pet parent’s problem but also a way of saving a life. 

Pet Adoption Versus Animal Euthanasia

Animal euthanasia is the act of inducing death to an animal.  Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress.  Most of the times, it is called the act of “putting asleep” an animal.  Meanwhile organizations like animal rescue groups and animal rights organizations strictly oppose this method.  They say pet adoption could dramatically reduce the number of animals being “put to sleep”.

There are many reasons for animal euthanasia.  Terminal illness, behavioral problems like aggression can be reasons for euthanasia.  While there are animal owners inducing their animals or pets to euthanasia when they have illnesses or broken limbs that requires big medical and financial attention.

Old age is also a common reason for animal or pet euthanasia.  Meanwhile for animal shelters, they induce euthanasia since they do not have enough space or room for an abandoned animal. 

According to Humane Society of the United States, there is an estimated 4 to 5 million of adoptable animals in animal shelters euthanized due to lack of facilities.  While American Humane Association cites even a bigger number, 9.6 million of animals in the United States are being euthanized every year. 

According to the survey conducted by the American Humane Association, out of the 1000 shelters who responded to the survey, 2.7 million of 4.3 million animals (64 percent) are being euthanized.  Out of this euthanized number, 56 percent are dogs and 71 percent are cats.  There 15 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cars were reunited with their owners.  Just a dismal 25 percent of dogs and 24 percent of cats were adopted. 

Majority of the animals in shelters were being euthanized since there is a standard period of time (ranging from several days to weeks for unclaimed stray animals).  However, there are “no kill” shelters run by private and animal welfare organizations.  These “no kill” shelters make it an official policy never to euthanize animals for medical reasons.  

Another reason why animal euthanasia is creeping to our culture is because of pet overpopulation.  There are numerous pet owners surrendering their pet due to personal reasons and inadequacy in taking responsibility for their pets.  There are also people who only wants puppies, once the puppies grow, they completely neglect them and eventually surrender them to shelters or rescue groups. 

There are owners who due to failure of spaying or neutering their animals tend to reproduce.  There are thousands of litters being born in American homes every day.  It is important to consider the financial and medical attention and responsibility these huge numbers of pet reproduction.  We do not want to contribute to the raising number of people surrendering their pets for adoption.  Eventually, leading to not being adopted and euthanasia.

Clearly, there is crisis in the pet population of the United States.  Too many animal companions competing for a few good homes than will take them is a clear effect of uncontrolled breeding.

Dog bite victims are now ranging to 4.5 million each year, due to uncontrolled breeding. Some of the victims fall prey to homeless and stray animals in the streets.  They pose public danger, and the government is paying the people’s tax money in controlling these animals and maintaining animal shelters. 

Pet adoption is a great way of lessening the impact of the crisis in pet population.  Instead of buying pets from puppy mills or companies that breeds animals for profit, adopting an animal is a great way of reducing the number of euthanized animals in shelters.

There are countless benefits of pet adoption.  There are studies conducted saying the adopted pets are more loyal and devoted since they have already experienced the worst.  Pet adoption is a great way of reducing the number of animals in shelters and making way for another one.  Pet adoption battles euthanasia – one pet at a time.

Ear Mites In Dogs

Image via WikipediaCanine ear mites are a severely irritating condition for dogs to go through. Ear mites will never leave the host (your dog) however there is treatment available to stop the irritation in the ears.

Mites lay their eggs in the ear canals of the dog. Sometimes the ear mites will spread to surrounding areas in the dog's fur causing even more itchiness.

Although ear mites are more common in cats, canine ear dogs do exist. Because canine ear mites are contagious, it is even more important to treat it as quickly as possible if you have more than one pet at your residence.

Canine ear mites can cause various ear diseases and infections therefore a vet should be consulted if you have the slightest suspicions that your dog may have ear mites.

You will be able to tell by looking in the dogs’ ear. If you notice a crusty substance in there, and even white spots, then he is likely to have ear mites. You will also notice the dog scratching and shaking his head due to the irritation that canine ear mites cause.

If your canine develops ear mites on the skin, flea products can kill them. To treat ear mites in the ear canal, a vet can administer an injection or oral medication such as fibronil, thiabendazole and ivermectins.

It only takes a short time for ear mites to multiply and spread to other parts of your dog. If you suspect you dog may have ear mites, please see a vet quickly as it will certainly save him the severe discomfort that canine ear mites bring.

Ear Mites

Ear mites are a common occurrence in pets and animals. Due to their ease and speed of spread, they can be transmitted extremely quickly between animals.

Cats and ferrets are the most likely pets to contract ear mites, however they can also occur in dogs and rabbits. There have been some known cases of human ear mite contraction as well, although this is quite rare.

One of the first signs of an ear mite infected animal is that he will be scratching and shaking his head around quite a bit. This is due to having thousands of tiny ear mites in the ear canal - the ear canal is extremely sensitive and any movement in there will cause extreme irritation and itchiness.

The next sign to look for is a brown crusty matter that will be noticeable when you look into the ear. This is caused by the serum from the ear lining which builds up. If not treated, this can turn into a fungal or bacterial infection, therefore it is mandatory that your pet is taken to a vet as soon as you suspect he may have contracted ear mites.

Sometimes you may be able to see very small white mites in the crusty debris. This is because these ear mites do not actually burrow into the ear, they simply live in the ear canal. Obviously if you can see white spots, your pet has ear mites and must be treated as soon as possible.

Your vet will advise on what action to take, however usually an injection or medication is given. Ivermectin is either injected or taken orally. There are special ear mite treatment products for cats as an alternative. These are used on the skin are effective for a month or so.

Ear mites need to be taken seriously and if you notice your pet displaying any sort of strange behavior relating to its ears, please see a vet as soon as possible.