Adopting a pet

My family has always been big on adopting animals from shelters. My mother works at a vet and has a big place for pets in her heart, and my brother and I developed that love for animals as well.

One of my co-workers bought her dog online. I didn't know that was an option until she told me. She said that she bought the dog through a website and that it was shipped by plane from out of state. When it arrived it had so many health problems because it was born in a puppy mill and was not well cared for. This convinced me that shelters were the only way for me.

Two studies, conducted by Colorado State veterinary epidemiologist Dr. M.D. Salman and sponsored by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, reveal that bbout 1,000 shelters in the United States responding as part of Shelter Statistics Survey accepted an estimated 4 million pets each year for three years. Of those sent to the reporting shelters that participated in the study, about 64 percent--or 8.2 million pets--were euthanized.

Moving and other lifestyle issues were the main reasons given by pet owners when surrendering their animals to shelters. But the majority of those pets - 64 percent - are euthanized instead of adopted into new homes.

The studies also found that the majority of pet owners who surrender their animals to shelters are under 30 years of age and that more dogs are taken to shelters than cats and all other animals combined.

Ask these questions to yourself before you go to the shelter:

*Why do you want a pet?

Don't get a pet because you feel sorry for it or because it's so sweet. Make sure you can make the commitment and that you'll love it because the pet may life for upwards of 10 or 15 years!

*Do you have time for a pet?

The time commitment is important. A lot of people don't realize how much time a pet requires and the animals end up back at the shelter. Sad!

*Can you afford a pet?

Vet bills, training, food and care, damages... it all builds up!

*Can you have a pet where you live?

Make sure you have permission from landlords, etc. before getting an animal! Also, pets often don't mix well with young children. And don't get an animal if it's going to be left alone for most of the day! The cat I'm adopting was by itself for more than 18 hours a day before!

*Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation?

Make sure there are willing neighbors or friends who can help you.

Once you've found a pet, make sure you read up on their papers. Maybe they've been placed in the shelter because they bit children and you have kids in your home. You can get the toys they like and the food they are used to.

There are obvious benefits of adopting an animal.

• You are saving the life of a wonderful animal.
• You are helping to reduce overpopulation.
• You are discouraging the presence of puppy mills, pet stores, and other such establishments.
• It is less expensive than going through a pet store or a breeder.

I would like to address some concerns people may have about adopting.

• The animal may have behavior problems. Shelters are very careful to inform prospective pet owners if there are any issues they should know about. Maybe the animal doesn't like kids or other pets. Maybe they don't like to be picked up a lot. They will disclose anything they know about the animal that can be serious. They would rather make sure that the animal goes to the right home than to have them come back. They also will try to work with the animal before adopting it because they don't want to be liable for any issues that the animal has with a family.
• The animal may be sick from being around so many other animals. Animals that are bred in farms and mills can suffer worse problems than in shelters. They can be unhealthy, unsocialized and difficult to train.
• The animal may not be right for me. There are rescues and other organizations that have options to foster animals. That way, you can care for an animal and see how it gets along with kids, other animals, etc.