Adopting a pet for the holidays sounds like a great idea. However, holiday pet adoption is a huge responsibility that should involve thought and planning. Below is our Guide for Holiday Pet Adoptions.

Pet Adoption 101

Whether its during the holidays or any other time, there are items to consider before adopting a pet.

Lifestyle

What will the new pet’s daily life look like? Will you have enough time to care for the pet, play with it, take it on walks, and provide training, or will everyone be out all day with activities occupying the evenings and weekends? A lonely and untrained pet can become a frustrated and destructive pet, especially, if it is a high energy breed that needs a lot of physical activity on a daily basis.

Choosing the Pet

Selecting the right pet is just as important as making sure all of the other factors line up. Each type of pet has a different set of needs and requirements for feeding, housing, exercise, grooming, socialization, and medical care. It’s important to do your research ahead of time.

It’s usually best to allow the recipient(s) to participate in selecting their pet of choice, rather than surprising them on the big day. Giving a stuffed dog or cat with a pet toy, a leash or carrier is an exciting way to surprise someone, especially kids, and allows the entire family to pick out the pet together at a later date.

Financial Means

Food, veterinary care, grooming, and training costs can really add up over the life of a pet. Ensure that the person receiving the pet can handle the additional financial responsibility of pet supplies, food, training, and veterinary care.

Living Situation

Where the pet lives is also an important consideration. While a small apartment may be ideal for a cat, it may not be so great for a 50 pound dog. You’ll need to be realistic about the indoor and outdoor space that will be available to share with a pet.

Will the New Owner Be A Child?

The ASPCA recommends waiting until children are between 10 and 13 years old before introducing the responsibility of a pet. However, regardless of the child’s age, an adult in the household must be fully committed to caring for the pet if the child cannot. Children should not be expected to take full ownership responsibilities, such as driving the pet to the veterinarian. 

Commitment

Dogs live an average of 10-14 years, and cats can live 15-20 years. Pet adoption is a long term commitment that requires a thoughtful and a realistic look at one’s life. Shelters are full of pets that didn’t “work out”; you don’t want this to be how your pet ends up.

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For many prospective pet owners who visit a shelter or rescue, finding a puppy or kitten is often what is on the agenda. Fewer people, however, actively seek-out older animals, which is why older pets tend to be the last to get adopted and, in many cases, are never adopted.

Many senior pets will spend their golden years languishing in a shelter – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Older dogs and cats still have much to offer in the way of companionship, love and enjoyment. November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and we can’t think of a better time to discuss the many advantages of sharing life with a senior pet!

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Sharing your life with a pet can bring great joy and fulfillment. And, it’s exciting to think about bringing home that cute cat or adorable dog. But before diving in, it’s important (and smart!) to think about and consider your own lifestyle, and how a certain pet breed or species may be a better choice for you.

Each type of pet requires different housing, exercise, feeding, grooming, veterinary care and demands on your time. Pets also have their own personalities and energy levels, so a good personality fit, along with activity needs that match your own, should be considered as well. We at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center are here to help you explore the questions that will prepare you to choose the right pet for the way you live. And, with Adopt a Shelter Pet Month in full swing, the timing couldn’t be better for this topic! Continue…

Bringing a new puppy home is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Those adorable paws, sweet puppy breath, sleepy snuggles, and sweet kisses not only cement the bond between you and your pup, but also make the more tedious tasks, such as house training, all the more bearable during your new puppy care time together.

Your newest family member needs much more than food and water to grow into a happy and thriving adult dog. At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center we consider it our mission to provide you with the tools and support to help your new companion live a long and healthy life. Continue…