Pet Adoption essentials
If you feel you are already an experienced pet owner, then by all means wade in with both feet. Just go to a local pet shelter and ask them to show you what they have available for adoption. They will then give you the information needed to adopt the pet of your choice.
Just make sure that the pet has been thoroughly vetted before they leave the shelter–we ended up with one who had not been spayed, went into heat a week later, and then, a year later, required emergency surgery for an infected uterus.
Make sure you ask thorough health questions, especially if you have any other pets in the house. You don’t want to bring anything contagious in with the shelter pet you are adopting.
You also don’t want to be landed with any vets bills, which have increased in recent years. They should be covered for all of the basic shots. If you adopt a pup or young dog who will need to be spayed or neutered when old enough, you will most likely be given a certificate for a free spay or neuter at the vet of your choice when they are the right age.
You might also wish to ask about pet insurance while you are on the subject. Many of them come with at least a month’s worth of insurance just in case they miss some health problem at the shelter, and for a small amount of money per month you can keep paying the premiums yourself. This can add up to a big savings over the lifetime of the animal.
Just check to see what the policy covers before committing yourself. Often it will include an annual visit and all shots. Do the math to see if this is worthwhile compared to just setting aside the premiums you are paying each month. Of course, the insurance is more valuable for dealing with unforeseen health issues, especially as the animal gets older. you can usually insure them up to age 10.
We have also noticed that Progressive Auto insurance includes the healthcare costs of your pet if it is injured in an accident, since so many of us do travel with our pets, so that is also something worth considering.
A shelter animal is not only adding to your family, it is also taking one less pitiful animal off the streets. Dogs and cats are companion animals that need human help and interaction, so if you can offer a dog a home, especially now when economic circumstances are forcing people to give up their pets, that is one more rescued animal out of a shelter and in a happy home environment where it can thrive. One less being put down just because there is no room at the inn.
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