Education

Questions to Ask BEFORE You Adopt a Pet

(This page is also available in PDF Format)
As the holiday season approaches, many people think about getting or giving a pet as a gift. Holidays are a time of great excitement, and are really not the best time for introducing a pet into a household. There’s a danger they will be treated as just one more toy, rather than as a new family member. Then, when the newness wears off, the animal is forgotten or ends up at the shelter. A young animal’s behavior and personality are formed in its early weeks, and improper care and training could quite possibly cause permanent damage.

A pet adds so much to a household; there is even medical evidence that pets have beneficial effects on their owners’ health. Just loving animals and wanting to share your life with a furry companion is not enough, however. Selecting the right animal to join your family is something that takes careful consideration and research.

The time and effort spent beforehand is well worth it. Too many people rush into pet ownership without taking the time to learn about the big picture, and frequently the pet ends up at the shelter, where only 1 in 9 get out alive. There are many sources of information that you can access to help you make such an important choice. Before you rush out to find your own furry ball of love, educate yourself and your family about the realities of pet ownership.

Some Important Questions

You can begin by asking some important questions. The following list mentions dogs and cats, but the questions relate to other species as well:

0. Why do I want a pet? Does everyone in the family agree? Remember that puppies and kittens grow up into dogs and cats, and they can live up to 20 years…think about that as you answer this question.
0. How will a dog or cat fit in with my lifestyle and that of the others in my household? Think about the activities your family enjoys and whether a pet would be a welcome addition to them. Consider their needs as well as your own.
0. How much time do I and other family members have to spend with a pet? If no one is at home for 10-12 hours every day, a dog may not be for you; boredom often causes destructive behavior in canines. If you are thinking of chaining or penning a dog outside 24/7, please DON’T get a puppy or dog. (See www.dogsdeservebetter.org.) Cats, birds, and other pets also require love, care, and interaction.
0. Do I have the money to afford vet bills, spaying or neutering, grooming, food, leashes, toys, beds, treats, kennels, or pet sitters, etc.? Ask your friends who have pets what it costs for their care. Pet sitting for friends or helping out at the shelter are good alternatives to pet ownership.
0. What do I know about the characteristics of different breeds? PLEASE! Do your research BEFORE you adopt! There are huge differences among the breeds of dogs and cats. All too often a pet is surrendered to the shelter for reasons that amount to ignorance on the part of the owner. Go to www.petfinder.com and check out the many breeds for adoption, and their “Before You Adopt” page.
0. Are my kids and other family members ready and willing to share the house with a dog or cat and participate in the pet’s care? Think about who will be responsible for the animal’s care. Remember that this is a lifetime commitment to another family member.
0. Am I willing to train my kids in proper pet care and handling? First, make sure that you know what proper pet care and handling is. Go to the “After You Adopt” page at www.Petfinder.com, or www.ehow.com (type “teach pet responsibility to children” in the search box). Children need to learn the rules and consequences, just as the pet does.
0. Am I willing to commit to the loving care of another being for up to 15-20 years no matter what? If you are, please remember there are many wonderful dogs and cats at our own shelter…adopt one and save a life!

These questions are meant to help you get an honest picture of what to expect when you adopt a pet. They are essential questions that you must answer honestly. Remember pets have their own emotional, physical, and mental needs just as you do. This should be a mutually gratifying relationship. The care you give will be rewarded a thousand times over with unconditional love.

****COLD WEATHER ALERT****

We're heading into winter weather again here in East Tennessee, and there are too many "outdoor" pets that will suffering needlessly. PLEASE bring your animals indoors during sub-freezing nights!

Many people seem to assume that fur is fur and that all breeds are the same. This is simply not true. While some breeds of dogs and cats can tolerate and may even enjoy colder temperatures, ANY creature is susceptible to freezing to death if exposed too long.

Many people who use this justification don't seem to take a dog or cat's breed into consideration. For example, a Siberian husky may absolutely love 10 degree temperatures; a chihuahua or Jack Russell will most likely not. And many dogs in particular are kept chained or in pens far away from any building that might provide even a windbreak--their flimsy dog houses are supposed to provide all the heat they need.

If someone absolutely cannot bring an animal inside, the very least they should do is provide a warm, weatherproof house that is protected from the wind and weather. This doesn't have to be expensive--you can make a winter cat shelter from a large plastic storage container turned upside down. Line it with straw and a blanket, put the cover on, turn it upside down and cut a door in it. Place it in a sheltered spot, preferably close to a building, or perhaps inside a garage, barn, or shed (but be sure the cat will not get locked inside by accident).

Dog shelters don't have to be expensive either--a 50-gal. plastic water drum can be made into a shelter. Any outdoor pet shelter should be lined with with some kind of insulating material--straw, for example. (No fiberglass insulation!!!!) A pet bed or blanket is good, as long as you make sure it stays DRY and CLEAN. Wet blankets can freeze and do more harm to your pet. If electricity is available, an inexpensive ground spot light aimed toward the shelter can provide added heat--use common sense with regard to fire and burn safety.

Other things to consider about cold weather:

• Just as with humans, the very young and older animals are most susceptible to freezing, as are animals who are pregnant, nursing, underweight, or ill.
• Be sure drinking water is available--at low temperatures, it can freeze within an hour or two
• Remember that dogs' sense of smell is diminished in severe cold--they can easily get lost
• Cats who are left outdoors will often look for warm spots to sleep, such as under car hoods
• It takes less than a teaspoon of anti-freeze to kill a small pet--and the smell and taste are very enticing to them
• Salt and other anti-icing chemicals can make animals sick as well--be sure to clean off paws and fur after a trip outside
• Ears, pads, and tail tips are most susceptible to frostbite, especially on short-haired pets
• Check with your veterinarian for more winter pet care advice
• Here's a link to the Petfinder article library for more info. http://www.petfinder.com/library

 ****END COLD WEATHER ALERT****

ETSN is dedicated to ending the use of euthanasia as a means of population control for companion animals. We firmly believe that two of the ways to achieve that goal are to provide information to the general public about proper pet care, and offer low-cost alternatives for spay and neuter surgeries. 

While we're raising funds for our low-cost spay-neuter clinic, we are working to change attitudes and raise awareness about proper pet care. We believe that every animal is a gift to be treasured--a living, breathing creature with feelings and needs who deserves to be well fed, housed, cared for, and loved. In these economic times, not everyone can afford top of the line pet accessories, but there are many sources of information and assistance that can help you maintain a happy, healthy life for your pet.

Here are some links to get the new pet owner started off on the right paw:

Petfinder.com's "Before You Adopt" page gives you lots of good information to help you go through the process of finding the right pet for you. All too often, the pets who end up at the shelter are there because the human didn't do their homework before adopting, and got something they didn't expect. Once you've found your new pal, links from this same page have lots of helpful tips for new pet owners. Another great source of info for both cats and dogs is Petsmart's Pets.com site. Both sites also have information about pets of other species.

If you're a dog lover, there are many good sites with information about training, healthcare, exercise, tricks, etc. Try Pedigree's Pet Library, Dog Scouts of America, (yes, really!) and the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program.

One of the attitudes we're working to change is the idea that it's ok to chain or pen a dog 24/7. This not only is akin to a life sentence of solitary confinement, but it contributes to the death of many dogs who are driven to aggressive behavior or subject to attack from other dogs, people, or wild animals. Dogs Deserve Better is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending this cruel and antiquated practice. Please see their website for more information.

ETSN is located in the Bible Belt, but unfortunately, many people of faith do not treat their animals very well. It's a mystery to us, because all major religions abhor the mistreatment of animals. For instance, the Southern Baptist Convention has issued its Environment and Climate Initiative, (read it at: http://www.baptistcreationcare.org/) and its Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has officially endorsed the We Get It! declaration on responsible stewardship. (Read and sign it at: www.we-get-it.org.) If you'd like to see what your church has to say about the treatment of animals, please see the Humane Society of the U.S.'s extensive "animals and religion" page, with links to many denominations' own websites.

Our local chapter of the American Red Cross offers Pet First Aid classes at a minimal cost. 

If your local school, church, group, or organization would like us to give
an informational presentation about spay-neuter, pet care, etc., please contact us at 423-289-5548. We're always happy to help spread the word to help the animals!

If you are having financial difficulty and are considering surrendering your family pet because you can't afford to feed him or her, there are resources to help! ETSN has access to a limited supply of pet food; please contact us for assistance and info. Good Samaritan Charities in Johnson City also provides pet food, as does Holly Help Spay-Neuter in Bristol. Everything Under One Woof in Johnson City (across from Hands On museum) runs a pet-food pantry to provide pet food to help struggling pet owners keep their furry friends. (NOTE: Sadly, Everything Under One Woof is closing; the pet food pantry will be relocated. When we know the new location, we will update this website.) All these groups rely on donations from the public, so if you are able to donate food or money, please do!

If you have puppies or kittens that need homes, PLEASE be very careful who you give them to! Giving away animals for free is a bad idea--there are many unscrupulous people out there who will turn around and use them for breeding, as bait for fights, or to sell to laboratories for experimentation. If someone won't pay a small fee to cover your expenses, they probably won't take very good care of the animal.
Please be sure they agree to have the pet spayed or neutered--
we can help with this, even before adoption.

Also, check the Humane Society of the U.S.'s info page about hoarders--some pose as rescues so they can add to their collection. Scroll down the page and read about how to determine if someone is a hoarder or an actual rescue.