Bringing Awareness to Animal Adoption

As a fellow animal lover, I'm sure that you know of the immense happiness that having a companion animal in your life can bring you and the people around you.

Both of my fur babies, Chewy and Chiquita, are rescue animals so I know firsthand the joy of adopting an orphaned pet can bring. I can't imagine my life without them - they are the ones that cheer me up when I've had a bad day and make me laugh when I most need it.

My pets help me see the fun in life even if what I'm doing isn't particularly exciting... like when I take my dog for a walk around the neighborhood.

As we go for our walk, Chewy forces me to stop constantly...he likes to examine every other bush and tree and make sure to add his mark even after he's run dry!

Sometimes I may want him to hurry up so I can get back to the house to work on another chore or project, but the fact that he makes me wait for him allows me time to finally relax and like him, enjoy and examine my surroundings. He's taught me to notice the beauty of nature around me so that now I occasionally bring my camera with me to take pictures of the interesting things we see on our walks that I would otherwise ignore.

The Facts About Homeless Animals in the US

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that animal shelters around the country admit between 6 to 8 million dogs and cats annually with approximately half of those having the ill fate of being euthanized. Though the number of pets euthanized in this country has been greatly reduced compared to numbers in previous years, 4 million animals euthanized a year amounts to about eight animals being put to sleep every minute!

Two Key Factors That Cause Animal Homelessness

The number one reason that there are so many orphaned animals in United States is that adoption rates are morbidly low. Yet many people don't know that 1 in 4 shelter dogs awaiting adoption are actually purebred.

Another big factor is that there are still many animals out there that are not being spayed or neutered. Did you know that from all of the animals that our shelters rescue each year, only 10% of them are actually spayed or neutered? It's no wonder that our animal shelter population is still so high.

Bringing Awareness to Animal Adoption

Luckily there are many organizations that help bring awareness to the public about the importance of animal adoption and spaying/neutering your pet.

Since 2008, every third Saturday in August is known as the International Homeless Animals Day.

Groups around the world get together every year to hold candlelight vigils, adopt-a-thons for shelter rescues, and microchip clinics.

If you and your animal loving family and friends are interested in participating, check out the International Society for Animal Right's website at http://www.isaronline.org where they've listed all of the scheduled events around the country as well as some internationally.

And if you do decide to attend, make sure to take your pets along if you can. Not only will they have lots of fun meeting other animals at the event, but by showing those around you the bond that you and your pet share, you both will surely help raise more awareness to the value of becoming a pet parent!

Amber Keiper is the Marketing Assistant and Raw Diet Educator for BARF World Inc.. She and her husband have two former rescue animals that are now healthy and proud "BARF brats" - a terrier mix named Chewbacca ("Chewy") and a tabby mix named Chiquita ("Chiqui"). For more articles like these and to learn more about the benefits of raw food for your pets, sign up for The Intelligent Pet monthly e-zine at http://www.barfworld.com.

5 Questions to Ask Before Bringing Home an Exotic Pet

Are you considering purchasing an exotic pet? If so, you aren't alone. A growing number of people are deciding to adopt exotic pets for a wide variety of reasons. But, are you really prepared to bring home an adopted pet? Before you go out and make a purchase, be sure to provide yourself honest answers to a few important questions.

Why Do I Want an Exotic Pet?

The first question you should ask yourself is why you want to purchase an exotic pet in the first place. Is it an impulse purchase because you fell in love with the little critter while stopping in at the pet shop? Do you want the pet because you think it seems cool to own one? Are you trying to be part of the latest fad? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you should really reconsider making the purchase. Remember, taking home a pet requires making a long-term commitment and, once the novelty wears off, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the time and effort required to keep many exotic pets healthy and happy.

Am I Able to Care for the Exotic Pet?

In addition to requiring a time commitment, many exotic pets also require making a substantial monetary commitment as well. In fact, you will likely need to purchase special housing and supplies for your pet. Depending on the availability of specialists you may need to travel an extended distance or pay a premium price for veterinary care.

Is it Legal?

Many exotic pets are illegal to own in certain areas or, even if a pet is legal to own, certain jurisdictions may restrict the ownership of certain pets. Even if a pet store is selling the pet, don't automatically assume it is legal for you to own one. In some cases, you may have to complete certain paperwork in order to be legally permitted to own a pet. So, make certain you are aware of the proper procedures and that you follow them. Otherwise, you may find yourself in legal trouble and you may lose a pet that you have become attached to.

Does the Pet Suit My Household?

When deciding whether or not a pet is right for you, you should also consider your current household situation. Do you already have pets at home? If so, how well will your current pet or pets get along with your new pet? Are the types of pets compatible?

If you have children, you should also consider whether or not the pet is a good fit with your children. Consider the safety and welfare of both your children and your pet before bringing it home.

Do I Know How to Properly Care for the Pet?

Many exotic pet owners make the mistake of bringing home a pet before they really learn how to care for it. Make certain you are aware of the feeding and housing requirements for your pet before you bring it home. You also need to know how long your pet is likely to live and how large it can become. That way, you are prepared to accommodate your pet as it grows larger and its needs change.

Owning an exotic pet can be very exciting and fun. At the same time, exotic pets can be time consuming and expensive to care for. Therefore, you should be certain to do your research and to make sure you are prepared for the commitment before you bring one home.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

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