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Important Considerations
Before Adopting a Pet

If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy.  And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional love. In addition to providing companionship, they even help relieve stress after a hard day's work and boost our state of mind.

Adopting a pet is a big decision. Dogs and cats require time, money, and commitment - over 15 years in many cases.  Adoption decisions need to take into account the the long term care and commitment for a lifetime.
 

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Before making the decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think about these questions below.  If there is any doubt that today might not be the right time to make a lifetime commitment, but you would still like to help animals in need,  please check out our Foster Program.    Fostering is the perfect situation for many people.

  1. Why do you want a pet?
    It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy can ultimately end up being a mistake. 
  2. Do you have time for a pet? 
    Pets require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their families didn't realize how much time it took to properly care for them.
  3. Can you afford a pet?
    The monetary costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes,  veterinary care, grooming, toys, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
  4. Are you prepared to manage problems that may arise?
    Fleas, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housebroken (and occasionally the housebroken), and unexpected medical emergencies are often aspects of pet ownership.
  5. Can you own a pet where you live?
    Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have other restrictions. Verify this information before bringing a pet home.
  6. Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?
    If you have kids under five years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Problem-free pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, just out of college or starting out in your career, or travel frequently as part of your work, waitin     g until you settle down is a wise choice
  7. Is there a new baby on the way?
  8. If a new baby is in your short term future, now is not a time to make the commitment to a new pet.  The stress on new parents with a new baby is hard enough (particularly with the first baby), let alone adding a new pet as well. 
  9. Are your living arrangements suitable for the type of pet?
    Adopting a lar ge or energetic dog to share a small apartment, for example, is not generally a good idea.  Large, energetic breeds need excercise on a daily basis, and having a fenced in yard helps.  Choose an animal who will be happy with the accommodations that you enjoy, and that would enjoy the same lifestyle as you.
  10. Are you prepared for a lifetime commitment?
    Adopting  a pet is a lifetime commitment.  Not sure that now is the right time?  Join our rescue team as a foster parent and help us save lives .

 

 Adopt A Pet For Life

 

This list is essential to consider  before adopting a pet.

 
Many homeless animals are  adult dogs and cats originally adopted as puppies and kittens by people who did not fully consider the responsibilities of a lifelong commitment.   Sharing your life with a pet  can bring incredible rewards, but only with the commitment of time, money, energy, and love for the entire life of the pet. 
 

PETS ARE FAMILY  

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So...You've Thought It All Out...OK, Why Adopt?
 
Sometimes people are under the impression that a rescue pet has issues and that those issu es led to the pet being surrendered, and that the dog or cat was responsible for being surrendered.
 
In the vast majority of cases, that's just  not true!  Most pets who come into rescue are not given up because they have behavioural problems. 

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In fact, the most common reasons a pet ends up with a rescue organization include the following:
  • The owners adopted a pet that was not ideally suited for their lifestyle (ie. didn't anticipate the time it takes to train a puppy).
  • The owners don't have time for the pet due to a new job or life change.
  • The owners find that they can't afford either basic vet care or the expense to treat an illness or injury.
  • The owner passes away or enters a nursing home.
  • The owners divorce and neither party can keep the pet.  
  • A couple has a new baby and no longer has time for the pet or the pet does not adjust to the new baby.
  • The owner is moving to an apartment building that doesn't allow pets.
This is not to say that all rescue pets come with perfect manners, perfectly socialized and housebroken.  Some pets who have been neglected or abandoned need training, but generally no more than a puppy or kitten.  
 
 
Reasons to Adopt an Adult Rescue Pet
 
Here are some reasons why to choose a rescue pet!
 
You save the hassle and time of training a puppy - Adopting a puppy is essentially bringing an infant into your home... a completely untrained, unsocialised little critter who thinks the crate you bought for him is a jail (and who cries to get out... at 3 AM!), the newspaper for him to squat on is a wonderful toy to be shredded, new shoes are much tastier than toys, and the carpet is an excellent substitute for grass when nature calls!
 
Most rescue dogs have been house dogs with basic manners, and have been living with a foster family.  An older cat most likely will be content being alone - a perfect match for someone who has an active lifestyle.
 
The bond is strong - A dog that has been abandoned once is usually eager to become part of a loving pack, where they feel safe and secure, and are likely to act accordingly. We find that rescue dogs are generally eager to please their new owners. Adult cats may sleep at the foot of your bed, in a cozy spot in your bedroom or under your bed. A kitten will most likely run around all night climbing and play attacking anything low enough to jump on - including you.

Fewer vet fees - Rescue pets are fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered. 'Free' craigslist puppies and kittens are far from 'free' - their vaccines, spay/neuter, exams, license, and microchip adds up to hundreds of dollars!
 
What you see is what you get - When you buy a baby pet, you can never really be sure what type of adult you're going to get.   All puppies are cute and playful, but their adult personalities aren't visible until they're about two years old. So you don't know whether you're getting a dog who wants t o play all the time (ALL the time!) or a couch potato. When you rescue an adult dog, you know what the dog's personality is like and whether it fits with what you want in a companion.  
 
A cat's personality has already been developed by the time it's one year old. A lap cat will continue to be a lap cat and it is easy to determine if the new cat will work out in a multi-cat household. With an adult cat, you definitely know what you're getting.

Adult pets are generally better for families - Adult pets generally are better with kids. Pups and kittens can play rough and cause harm to children by biting, nipping or scratching. When excited, large breed pups can knock children over accidentally. Children sometimes handle animals too roughly and can cause harm.

 
Adult pets are more mellow and more able to get themselves out of harms way and b ecause of this are often more patient with children.
 
Rescue teaches kids good values - Adopting a rescue pet for your family presents a wonderful opportunity to teach your children basic values of compassion and caring, and also about the value of second chances. 
 
Please send us an email at ru4mepetrescue@yahoo.com
to find out more about our rescue.  Take a moment to check out our Donations page or help fund our rescue by making a donation direction to PayPal.  

Thank you for helping save lives!!