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January 11, 2008
If your family brought home a new pet over the December holidays, this month probably passed very quickly as you adjusted to having a new family member. Many families are already beginning to reap the deep rewards of having their new pet, because they have figured out how to care for the furry new family member.
Other families are just now figuring out the challenges of responsible pet ownership, and that’s okay. These parents are discovering that they need help learning pet care while teaching and motivating their kids to be responsible and safe.
Every January, there are also many families that make the difficult decision to give away the family pet. Rescue shelters and adoption agencies are overrun every January and February with unwanted pets that were given as holiday gifts with every good intention less than just eight weeks ago. “A puppy is cute at eight weeks old, then at twelve weeks or sixteen weeks, families realize that it’s now a dog,” says Dr. Mary Isaacs of California-based Encino Veterinary Clinic.
“Many families don’t really research the responsibility of feeding or caring, or the cost,” says Dr. Isaacs, who has seen families spend as much as $1,000 to buy a purebred dog, and then realize that they cannot afford another $100 to get a veterinarian exam and set up the pet’s new home. She says, “Some pets end up as garden furniture, which is very sad.” If a family truly cannot care for a pet, it is best to acknowledge that this is not the right time, and then surrender the pet to a local adoption agency. Never should a pet be abandoned to the streets or to the wilderness.
“It’s great when a family with kids gets a new pet. Parents know that a pet can help teach kids so much,” says Dr. Isaacs. “But,” she adds, “if the parents don’t follow through with caring for the new pet, then they unfortunately teach their kids a bad lesson.” Dr. Isaacs empathizes with challenges parents face in managing a busy family, and wants the whole family to be realistic about the responsibilities for pet care. “All families need help, especially busy families.”
There are excellent resources to help families and pets become safe and successful together. Here are a few suggestions:
• Visit local humane education programs. Call first to see if they have humane educators and programs for kids and families.
• Invite local humane educators to your local school or community organization. The American Professional Humane Educators has many excellent members across America.
• Obtain free and low-cost award-winning educational materials from companies like Animal Wow.
• If you have a new puppy, enroll in a puppy training class, or work with a reputable dog trainer who is a member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
• Spay and neuter your new dog or cat with your veterinarian or at a low-cost clinic. There are many reputable low-cost clinics, and some even have subsidized free programs.
For the good of all your family members, including those family members with fur, fins, wings, or scales, we truly wish you a new year that is filled with deep joy, satisfaction, safety, love, and discovery that come from responsible service to your pet.
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