What to consider when adopting a pet

The decision to adopt a pet should never be taken lightly.

Whether it’s your first, your second or perhaps even your third pet, the questions you need to ask yourself and the preparations you should have in place remain the same.

Jénene Howroyd, who is responsible for the networking of the animals up for adoption at the Benoni SPCA, said when it comes to deciding which pet to adopt, firstly it all depends on who you bond with.

It is also all about how much time one possibly needs to be spent with the animal before adopting, as well as research into the breed history.

“The more info the better. They also need to ensure they give the adopted pet time to adjust once homed, which is usually about three months.”

She explained people usually want to adopt for companionship, for their family and/or other pets or even to give a rescue animal a chance at a good life.

She added a bad reason to adopt a pet is for security or for breeding, where the animal is seen as “something” rather than someone.

David Roache, managing director of dotsure.co.za, highlighted the following points before you consider adopting:

Commitment

Puppies and kittens grow up to become dogs and cats, so if you’re only looking to adopt for the cute factor then stop right there.

Adopting a pet is a big commitment.

Cats can live up to 15 to 20 years and, depending on the breed, a dog can live an average of 10 to 15 years.

So make sure everyone involved in the care of your new pet is on board for the long haul.

Personality trumps cute Love at first sight may not always apply when it comes to choosing the right pet for your family.

It’s important to focus on the character traits that are going to make this adoption work.

Figuring out first how a pet will fit into your life will help you make the smart adoption choice.

Shelter staff will know many of the pets’ personality traits and will be able to assist you with your decision, especially if the pet is older and has been at the shelter for a longer period.

Read: Adopt a pet

Training

If you’re adopting a puppy, kitten or even one of the shelter’s older pets, you’re in for some training no matter what.

Whether it’s teaching your new pet which areas of the house are off-limits, getting used to a leash or where the litter box is, it will take some time, so be ready to start training from day one.

Patience and perseverance are important and will lead to a loving and rewarding relationship.

Spring clean and stock up

Before any new paws touch your floor make sure you’ve hidden any loose wires, put away small items that can be easily swallowed and moved any house plants out of reach that may upset your new family member’s stomach.

Make sure you’ve got toys, food and water bowls, a collar, a leash and a bed ready for when your new pet arrives.

A comfortable, warm, fully stocked environment with all your new pet’s necessities will help make the transition an easy one for both of you.

Neutering and spaying

Dogs and cats can be sterilised as early as eight weeks of age; however, most pets are sterilised between four and six months.

If your pet hasn’t been sterilised upon adoption, the shelter will give you the correct paperwork for sterilisation to take place when the time comes and you’ll have to provide proof to the shelter upon completion of the procedure.

The best thing you can do for your pet’s health is to have him or her sterilised.

Some of the benefits include decreased aggression and a lower risk of mammary and ovarian cancer in females.

ID tag and microchip

Make sure your newly adopted pet is kitted with an ID tag so should he ever get lost, you’ll be contacted.

Microchips are the best assurance for identification, especially when it comes to cats who don’t tend to wear collars.

Remember to update your contact information with the microchip company if your details change.

Pet insurance Our lives are so stressful as it is, so why let rising vet bills become a pet hate?

Pet insurance gives you peace of mind, should something happen to your pet.

Pet insurance isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ but a necessity in today’s tough times.

Introducing your new pet to other furry family members

If you already have pets at home, you are going to need to pay careful attention when introducing someone new to the fold.

If possible, even before bringing your new pet into the house, rather find a neutral spot to make introductions.

An outdoor space with enough room for cats to roam or for dogs to be on a leash is a good option.

If both your established and new pets’ body language is good and there is no sign of aggression after a significant period of sussing each other out, then you can bring your new pet into the house.

However, they will still need to acclimatise to each other, so it’s important to remember to provide each pet with their own bed, introduce toys slowly, separate your pets when you’re out and most importantly, be patient.

Howroyd added their adoption success rate at the Benoni SPCA is very good, and animals are rarely returned.

“In my three years here, I think about five have been returned.”

The most common reason for their return is they haven’t/or won’t give them that chance to adjust to their new environment.

“Animals are like us, when everything is new and unfamiliar to them, they need a chance to decompress and settle in.”

She added that recently Covid-19 and loss of income has become the main reason people surrendered their animals.

“It has happened a few times recently but one that comes to mind was with a Collie X named Chocolat.

His owner lost everything, and was broken by having to surrender him, but he did the responsible thing and Chocolat was adopted quite quickly.”

She concluded by saying that all animals need love and compassion.

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts  (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za

or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za

 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

Remember to visit the Brakpan Herald on the following social media platforms:

Follow us: