PET CARE NEWS Dr. Alice Villalobos  8/2006

Why You Can/Should Adopt

National Pet Week was in May and June was National ADOPT-A-CAT month. The human-animal bond that we share with our dear pets enriches our lives. Our society needs to be more aware that millions of dogs and cats, that could be wonderful pets, die every year in the pounds just because they did not have a home to live in. Society is more sensitive about animals but needs to be more willing to adopt. Remember the pet that you rescue today may rescue you tomorrow. Hospitalized people who own pets get well faster. More doctors are prescribing pets rather than pills for their patients to enjoy the healing power of pets.

Many animal lovers view their homes and life style as unsuitable for pets because they work all day, travel 4-8 weeks a year, or have a second home. They mistakenly feel that they shouldn't have pets if they can't stay home with them. That is old-fashioned thinking. Today, busy people can enjoy the companionship and enrichment that pets bring to our private lives and still provide for them in our absence. New options exist today that were unheard of in the past. Doggie Day Care, Kitty Pent Houses, Pet Boarding Camps, Kennels with swimming pools and play periods and walk times. You can also hire professional pet walkers and pet sitters. There are excellent options to make sure that your pet is happy while you are gone.

My husband and I take our Old English Bulldog, Neo, to his trainer for training and recreation when we leave town. I call it boot camp. Neo loves to stay with Dan Atkinson at Kind to Canines in Newport Beach. It is Neo’s vacation too when we are out of town. My next-door neighbor went on a two week cruise and we offered to feed and water and walk their dog, Murphy, instead of boarding him. Neighbors on the other side have joined us on taking Murphy out for walks and visits. Murphy is having a great time while his family is out of town. It is not difficult to find a good reliable pet sitter who will stay at your house and make sure that your pet has companionship and fun while you are away. Go on line to: The American Association of Pet Sitters to get a referral. Contact: www.Fetchme.com to locate one of 700 franchised pet sitting services. Ask your veterinarian or your pet store for recommendations. You will find no shortage of willing pet sitters!

It is sad that shelters and pounds are only able to place about 20% of the adult cats that are taken in. Millions of unlucky cats are destroyed every year in our country making euthanasia the leading cause of death in cats. Dog and Cat overpopulation is Catastrophic. We can do our part to find homes for less fortunate dogs and cats abandoned at shelters and pounds across the country. Some people work very hard to rescue dogs and cats and place them in good homes. You can help: 1) If a friend’s eyes brighten up when they see a kitten. 2) If a friend feels sad when they are thinking about the loss of a dear pet they once had. 3) If you know someone who would enjoy a purring cat on his or her lap.

Do a good deed and bring an adoptable pet into a potentially good home for a delightful introduction. Include a care package. For Cats; include: cat food, litter box, cat litter, a bed, toys, and an appointment card for a first introduction visit to a family veterinarian for a checkup. For Dogs: include dog food; chew toys, a bed or crate, poop scooper, brush and collar and leash.

You can also give the pet’s new family a gift certificate for neutering to prevent overpopulation. Do your part for homeless dogs and cats. The strays of our country often starve or get run over by cars and usually wind up in the pound on pet death row. Do what you can to help.

Healthy, vaccinated, and neutered kittens and Adult cats are available for adoption at the Peter Zippi Fund For Animals located at VCA Coast Animal Hospital in Hermosa Beach. I started is Fund in 1977 in memory of a young man who worked for me. So far our volunteer club has placed over 11,000 pets in homes. You can help Call: 310-379-1264.