If you’re a regular reader of mine or viewer of my tv show, you understand the importance of animals not only in my personal life but as an animal advocate. If you know me personally, you already know my pets are my kids and have always been as significant as any family member to me.
It doesn’t bother me if there are those who don’t understand the role animals play in my life. I realize not everyone loves or even likes animals. I take no issue with it unless someone inflicts pain or kills an innocent animal. Likewise, I have no difficulty reporting that person.
I’ve loved animals ever since I was three yrs. old and in essence grew up with dogs as part of my family unit. It was there I discovered my passion for wanting and helping animals. My dream was to be a veterinarian. When it was revealed to me that part of this profession’s responsibilities was to euthanize animals, I had to say goodbye to that goal.
I knew at the tender age of 17, this inexperienced person couldn’t bring herself to end the lives of animals when all I wanted to do was to love and comfort them. Little did I realize that euthanizing a cherished pet could be of great assistance for him/her or if suffering was involved due to an affliction or disease. Allowing the pet to be free of the anguish in a humane manner is a blessing by a veterinarian.
I’ve always had a connection to animals. I’ve always had a dog(s) in my life at any given time. They were either given to me when my oldest brother (he is quite a bit older than me) was deployed oversees while in the Air Force, adopted or found them. Whenever I found a lost pet, I always made every effort to find his or her rightful owner. I could never fathom how no one would search for their missing pet.
I never had cats despite my pleas as a little girl. As a teenager, my severe allergic reaction to one single strand of cat hair triggered asthma attacks sending me to the emergency room.
If I could and as my fellow animal advocate friends can relate to, I would adopt all of the homeless animals in the world. I want to save each and every pet that has no home or is being abused. It literally tears me apart to know how many animals are stuck in shelters and are euthanized each day around the world.
Closer to home, thousands of animals are euthanized each year because there aren’t enough people adopting animals that have been abandoned or surrendered to shelters. According to the crux of the No-Kill Movement, it is said pet overpopulation is a myth. Whether you agree or not and I don’t plan to tackle this subject at this time, one can’t deny that there are too many animals in shelters who need homes or unfortunately, are going to be euthanized if no one adopts them.
I always encourage people to adopt but never buy from a pet store. FYI- the majority of pet stores buy their puppies from brokers who buy from puppy mills. The money you just spent on one of these puppies is now supporting the puppy mill industry where their parents are forced to live in the most deplorable conditions 24/7 for the sole purpose of breeding. A vicious cycle that ceases to end because of the demand for puppies.
As these puppies grow into adults and other pets are discarded for any number of reasons, shelters fill up with unwanted animals looking for a second chance. Thus, a constant burden is placed on shelters.
Too many animals. Not enough homes. This is the ever-constant plight of rescues, shelters, advocates, foster homes, and animal organizations to solve a problem that no one can adequately accomplish, in my opinion.
I want to see every homeless pet find a home! Period! What is the answer? I applaud all good efforts to find homes for the unwanted animals that sit in a shelter around-the-clock.
The million dollar question that raises concerns for me is if all adopters understand the realities and responsibilities of having a pet, particularly the financial burden that may be placed upon you, the adopter.
I would be the last person to dissuade someone from adopting a homeless pet but I’m also the one who will speak and have spoken to ask if the commitment they are about to embark on is the right one. I question if the timing is right, if the breed is compatible with their lifestyle, and if they’re ready to make a lifetime commitment.
One area I don’t ask about is the financial aspect. I feel the household budget isn’t anyone’s business, let alone mine. The cost of having a pet can be astronomical in today’s world. Depending upon the health, breed, the number of pets in the home, and other pet-care expenses, one must be prepared for the true cost of having a pet.
When my Jazz was adopted, this was his third and last chance to live in a home. Once I adopt, my pets are “lifers.” My husband and I now had two dogs. His brother, “Shadow”, was living with us for two years at the time of Jazz’s adoption. All was going well for years. Make no mistake, we still had the financial burden of paying for Shadow’s torn ACL, dental cleanings, lyme treatments for both and other incidents that took us to the veterinarian.
No one could have prepared me for what was to happen in 2011 with Shadow and Jazz. In the Spring of 2011, Shadow went into upper respiratory distress from pneumonia and nearly died. He spent two nights in an emergency hospital and was notably ill when released. It took months for him to recover which he never did fully.
In August 2011, Shadow was barely able to breathe again due to another case of upper respiratory distress. This time, his body couldn’t recover and we had to let him go peacefully in my arms as our veterinarian humanely euthanized him. From Spring 2011 until his death, Shadow visited our vet many times. From the ER to the medicines, and the vet trips, Shadow’s illness was quite costly.
Less than three months after Shadow’s untimely death, Jazz was diagnosed with oral melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, during his regular dental cleaning. The cost of canine cancer varies but is normally not inexpensive. He endured surgery, radiation, and receives the melanoma vaccine on an ongoing basis along with regular check-ups with his oncologist and his regular visits with his normal vet.
Then he contracted lyme disease and his body crashed after receiving an injection which led to a grand mal seizure. He spent a night in the emergency hospital and had to see another veterinary specialist the next day.
Then this past week, Jazz was lying on my lap and started yelping loudly. As I placed him on the floor, we could see his hind legs weren’t working properly. An emergency visit to the vet was required. He had injured his back in two places and one spot in his neck led him to scream out in pain. With the right medicines and the proper vet care, Jazz has much improved and only needs to not play or jump for another week. A very tough task indeed!
Between the two of my best buddies, Shadow and Jazz, the cost of their care was not cheap. I don’t need to talk about exact figures but it is safe to assume it was nice chunk of change and I would do all over again to help them.
I’ve never hesitated taking my pets to my vet or to an emergency vet. I will do anything to help them. As we were leaving the vet, I had to wonder how many people can’t afford to take their pets to the vet.
How many allow their pets to suffer because they don’t have the money to pay for the care? How many pets are surrendered for these reasons? How many beloved pets are euthanized by vets because their “parents” can’t afford the care which would help or cure them?
Before you ADOPT, one HAS to figure in the cost of care. Can you afford to pay for vet visits? Can you afford to pay for food, toys, treats, vaccines, not to mention emergency visits, ongoing serious illnesses, and injuries that require regular trips to vets or specialists and medicines?
As much as I want to see all homeless pets find a home, is adopting always the right option to help a shelter pet if you don’t have the financial means to take care of a cherished animal?
Or do you think it’s more important for a shelter or rescue to find a home for an animal and let the chips fall where they may?
What is the right answer in your opinion? Can you afford to take care of all costs associated with having a pet?
The cost of pet care today is through the roof. You cant seem to get out of the vets office any money left in your pocket. I know for a fact that people are giving up their pets because of this horrible economy. Its sink or swim and more people are drowning under a sea of debt! Senior citizens on fixed incomes, loss of property values, and low wage paying jobs with no benifits are a major factor for the increase in animals entering shelters. If you cant take care of yourself how can you take in a shelter pet? I dont see a change in the near future. The middle class is the next to get their clocks cleaned under this administration. I feel sorry for the people and all the animals affected.
Cost is DEFINITELY something that should be taken into account. I have never asked someone about their income, but I will cover the REQUIRED financial costs, especially if someone balks at the adoption fee. To adopt a dog, for example, you need to consider that between vet care and supplies, you must budget at least $300 in addition to the adoption fee within the first few weeks.
The first visit at the vet alone will likely cost over $100. A 30# bag of decent food costs $45-60. Then you have the collar and leash, crate, training classes (a must for most dogs, at least for bonding and socialization), dishes, toys, training treats, harness for walking, flea preventative, and the cost of anything the dog might destroy. Add grooming every 6 weeks at $40-60 if the dog has that type of hair.
Cats need a sturdy carrier for the vet, multiple appropriate scratching posts ($30+ each), toys, food ($30+), nail trimmers, brush, dishes, etc., so with the vet visit, you are looking at at least $200 in addition to the adoption fee.
Then you must include S/N if the pet doesn’t come from a shelter or rescue, and the fact that many pets become at least mildly ill when entering a new home. You may have kennel cough, URI, intestinal parasites, skin infections, diarrhea, HW treatment, or any number of things.
ALL pets get sick at some point. Adult humans may be able to skimp a little on their needs to care for a pet, but families with children need to be particularly careful about budgeting pet care, as children should not have to eat lean for a few weeks or drop out of lessons in order to afford vet care. That should be examined BEFORE the adoption.
Financial situations always change. I am in that position myself. The idea is that no one should obtain a pet without the confidence that they can afford to care for that animal.
Couldn’t agree more with Justin. More animals are going to be dropped off at shelters once are taxes keep going up and up paying for obammie’s programs. How can anyone afford a pet , let alone take care of themselves in this economy? This is so unfair to everyone. The pets will lose their lives because of it.
For Valerie: it sounds as if you work for a rescue or shelter. Don’t you think that shelters should ask for financial information to be sure someone can afford the care of a pet? If not, how can you be sure someone has the means to take care of a pet financially? You also said you’re in that predicament yourself, so will you go without food or whatever so your pet or pets will be taken care of?
I also agree about the economy. It’s going to get worse and more animals will be dumped at shelters. Something needs to change.
I don’t believe the nonsense set forth by the no-kill movement which says there is no pet overpopulation problem. Have they been to shelters? Have they seen the millions of animals killed each yr?
If it isn’t overpopulation, what is it called? We do have a pet overpopulation crisis and I’m not against some of their ideas to get animals adopted but I think some of their ideas are wrong. To place an animal in a home just to say it was adopted and if that home is no good, that is wrong and irresponsible!
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A pet overpopulation crisis does exist! I don’t understand how the no kill movement can justify their cause by saying that. One only needs to step inside a shelter anywhere in the states. Everybody is full. People are getting rid of their pets because they’re unable to afford them in this economy and it’s only getting worse. People really need to think before they adopt. It costs alot of money especially if the pet has a lifelong illness.
To your question, no, adoption isn’t always the right option. You can volunteer, collection donations and give money.
Hey Justin Time, are you blaming our president for you not being able to take care of your pets? Get real.
Vets are too expensive. they charge too much.
SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAVE ANIMALS BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT ANIMALS NEED CARE AND LOVE AND NOT LEFT TO ROAM OUTSIDE.
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