adoption
Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.
A Stray Miracle
One day old Moo Man. In May 2018 I found Miri wondering around begging for food on the streets of Boston. She was a local visit of the area. Everyone loved her because she was exceptionally friendly. After speaking with a man who knew her very well, he explained his attempts to find her possible owners were coming up cold. He could not adopt her as he already had his own fur babe.
By Megan MacNeil7 years ago in Petlife
Pet to Family—Is Yours Ready?
Pets are easily the greatest addition to a family, but are you ready for one? A pet is something to grow with you and your family, not something to be cast off when it gets too big or you no longer have the desire for it. Hundreds of animals end up in shelters because the owners don't want it anymore, or it wasn't what they thought, they didn't know it would get that big, and tons of other excuses. So before you adopt or buy a new pet, do your research on it so you can make sure it is actually something you really want and won't take back two weeks later. Go through your home, do you have room for a four-legged addition? The most common is dogs, everybody wants a cute little puppy but nobody wants a dog. They take time to train, lots of food, and require room to run/play! Dogs vary from tiny little Chihuahuas to huge Great Danes. Each one has tailored needs, and it takes a lot of responsibility. Cats have to be the biggest one, kittens are so cute and tiny, but once they grow up a lot of people don't think they are the cutest thing. Once cats go into a shelter as an adult it is highly certain that they will not be adopted. So before you make the big decision to get a new pet, make sure you are ready for it. Here are some basic key tips to remember before inviting the new addition in!
By Kendall Cardoza7 years ago in Petlife
Pet to Family - Are You Ready?
I remember the day he came; my sister screamed in surprise for it was a dream come true for her. After years of her deliberation, she got what she wanted—a dog. He was smelly since you know it is impossible to take care of each and every animal in adoption since they are innumerable. Like many others, he too was an adoption failure because of his aggressive nature. Though I loved him, I felt jealous because my parents heard her desire but not mine. Slowly and gradually that hatred was turned into love. Then, we had a relationship purely out of love. As the course of time went by, he became closer to his end until he slept on my mother's lap forever. It was then I realized that all those silent sobs and swollen eyes were not for a pet but for a brother.
By Alexa Marvel7 years ago in Petlife
It Was "Meant to Be!"
For months my wife and I had been eagerly waiting for a puppy that we had put a deposit on earlier that year. That January, we had found a breeder for Alaskan Malamutes near Seattle, Washington. She had told us that we would either be eighth in line for the February/March litter or we would be first for the April/May litter. She warned us that she cannot predict how many puppies her female would have so we may or may not get a puppy with the first litter. March comes around and there were seven puppies. Disappointed of course, we were hopeful and excited to get a puppy in the next few months.
By Emily Elliott7 years ago in Petlife
Adopting a Cat
When I adopted my cat Nellie, she was the first cat I had ever owned. I grew up with dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, goldfish, hamsters, and whatever else we rescued from the wild. As a child, I considered myself a lover of animals, certainly, but very much in the camp of ‘dog lover.’
By Alicia Brunskill8 years ago in Petlife
The Truth About Working at a Shelter
When most people think about a shelter they think of the smell of dogs. The smell of feces and urine, loud barking, whining, and bowls clanking. Not my shelter. My shelter is good, clean, still loud at times but we take care of our own. I work at a no kill shelter in St. Charles, MO. When I go and get dogs from other animal control facilities the description I gave above is all I see. I hear good things and bad things about these other shelters, but regardless I go and get those dogs for our shelter. Working at a no kill shelter, like mine, doesn’t make my job any less hard than those other shelters that do kill and are government funded. I still get people that come in and cry to me about how they can’t handle their dogs anymore, how they are moving, how they are having a baby, or just that they don’t want to have a dog anymore. I see it all, every day. All of these dogs eventually find good, loving, stable homes but when they come in they don’t know why they are here. They are scared, and alone abandoned by their families. We try to make them feel safe, giving them a nice bed to lay on, toys, food, and fresh water. We give them a bath, trim their nails, and clean their ears to make them feel better. You see, most of our dogs come from homes but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dirty, ears infected, teeth never been brushed, never been given a bath. So we make them feel clean and warm, like they may have never felt before. We try to give them all the comforts of a real home, without the family part. Until one day that family comes, and they finally feel safe.
By Brianna Summers8 years ago in Petlife
My New Best Friend
MY NEW BEST FRIEND Sometimes in life, we come across that one special being, that one amazing soul that loves us so deeply, so unconditionally, that we call them our “best friend.” Sometimes, that best friend comes in the form of a sweet four-legged dog, cat, rabbit or other “fur baby.”
By Lori Brizius8 years ago in Petlife
A Dream Come True
We all love a heart-warming, animal rescue story. Giving an animal another chance at life or a better home is inspiring. All animals deserve to be loved and cared for. I like to think all pet owners strive to provide the best environment for them. Whether it’s intentional or not, sometimes an animal’s situation has to change. Not every home is the best for them.
By Kylie Jane8 years ago in Petlife
Don't Buy a Dog on Craigslist
This is a PSA within a story. My therapist was suggesting I get a dog to help with my anxiety of being alone. I brought this up to my mother and she agreed with the condition that the dog would have to be reasonable price and she would have the final say. My mom wanted a girl puppy; since we already had a boy puppy. I agreed and then quickly began the search to find the perfect pup.
By Nick Jimenez8 years ago in Petlife
