Need Help with Your Pet?

Many people believe that relinquishing their pet is the only option they have. Perhaps the pet owners have been involved in a disaster, have lost their homes and cannot keep their pet while they are trying to relocate or find temporary housing. There may be circumstances related to relocation of a new job, health concerns, financial troubles, or problems managing a pet with behavior or serious medical problems. When we adopt a pet, it is a life-long commitment and we have a moral obligation to give our pet every opportunity to thrive and enjoy a safe and loving home. It's all too easy to consider surrendering the family pet when our life situation becomes complicated or we feel that we lack the resources to handle problems associated with their care. Below is a list of common reasons why owners seek to give up their family pet.

-Source: National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy

 

Before making any decisions that will compromise your pet's well-being, stop and carefully consider the following suggestions to guide you in making a conscientious choice:

• Seek Advise

  
  
  • Talk to your veterinarian

    Your local veterinarian is often a valuable resource for assisting with problems regarding your pet's health and behavior. As a professional, they have access to a wealth of information such as groups and organizations both locally and nationally. In addition to providing practical solutions, if the veterinarian has been seeing your pet regularly, they can provide advice that is more tailored to your family's and pet's needs. They may also have information regarding low-cost health care programs, pet trainers and obedience classes, pet sitters, or ways to help manage your pet needs that you may not have considered.

  • Locate resources on the Internet.

    The Internet today contains websites to assist pet owners with everything from pet care and training to finding low-cost programs for vaccinations and spaying or neutering. Keep in mind that not all websites will provide responsible advice. A website that has an excellent resource is: "Can We Help You Keep Your Pet?". Another great resource for dog owners is: "Dog Owner's Guide" and a resource for cat owners is: "Cat Information".

• Ask for Help

  • From family, neighbors ,friends or co-workers

    If you find yourself in circumstances that require travel, moving or assistance with pet-sitting, walking, or giving medications at times when you are unavailable, check-in with your network of family, friends, co-workers, neighbors or others who can provide responsible care for your pet. If you can do so, kenneling may offer the best short-term solution, but if you cannot afford to pay the costs for kennel care, ask others you know and trust to help out.

  • From your local veterinarian

    Your veterinarian may know of a good pet sitter, foster family, responsible teenager, or the names of organizations or groups locally who can help out temporarily with your pet's care or housing. If your personal veterinarian has no suggestions, check with other veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area.

  • From local rescue groups or shelters

    There are always local rescue groups and shelters in your area that can help you find solutions for your pet problems. See our Adoptions page for a list of local rescue groups that support our shelter. Visit Friends for Life, a local group, at http://www.nokill1.org/index.htm.

• Become part of the solution, not part of the problem: make a commitment!

  • Don't act impulsively

    If you were initially an unintentional or non-consenting pet owner who offered to house and care for a pet that now depends upon you, do not react to those difficulties by surrendering your pet to a stranger, a shelter, or a rescue group. Consider the implications for your family, pet, and the community. If at all possible, seek alternatives and resist external pressures to relinquish your pet, which will increase the community's burden to care for an unwanted pet.

  • Choose a solution that favors the pet's welfare

    Alfred Montapert wrote: "Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to." Pets add so much to our human existence. They teach us about unconditional love, loyalty, laughter and endearing relationships. Pets have even been known to have positive health effects on humans by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing stress, decreasing emotional problems and loneliness, and promoting healthy activities through pet play and exercise. See the Center for Disease Control website: "Health Benefits of Pets"; "Positive side effects of pet ownership for children"; "PET OWNERSHIP - A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP "; "Beneficial effects of pet ownership on some aspects of human health and behavior." Remember that if you relinquish your pet to a shelter, there is no guarantee that your pet will be adopted. Once your pet has lived in a real home, adjusting to life in a shelter will be difficult and can lead to health and behavioral issues for them down the road. Read the article "The Crisis of Pet Overpopulation" to find out more about the overpopulation crisis and how we can stop it.

• Basic Training is for you and your pet!

  The simple fact is that many behavioral issues are due to the lack of understanding, training, and exercise the owner has provided. There are many philosophies concerning dog training, and much of it can be found online. In addition, many organizations such as PetSmart, Petco and boarding facilities provide basic training. While training at these facilities is not free, it's a worthwhile investment for any new animal owner.

  If you must give up your dog due to other circumstances, we strongly suggest you contact our local rescue groups. If your dog is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and spayed or neutered, the rescue groups may be able to take in your animal without the threat of disease or euthanasia.

  Visit http://www.perfectpaws.com/help.html for advice on training cats and dogs in these areas and more.

   

 Datasheets and Brochures

We have provided datasheets and brochures that can be printed and distributed at offsites, onsite events or for special events.  Our goal is to educate the public on doing the right thing for the animals.  Feel free to download, print and distribute anywhere you can!

New - MCAS Brochure

Becoming a Foster

Foster Support

Caring for Your Pet (English)

Caring for Your Pet (Spanish)

It's NOT OK to Chain Your Pet

Pets and Natural Disasters - Preparing for the Worst

Your Pets Need Proper ID

NEVER Leave Your Pet in a Car

The Cruelty Behind the Cuteness - Puppy Mill Primer

Spay Neuter Your Pet - No More Homeless Pets

Humane Care for Stray Cats

Kids Can Make a Difference

 It's NOT OK to Dump Your Pet