Adopt Don't Shop

Are you possibly thinking of adopting a furry friend to share your fun summertime activities? You may be an experienced pet parent or brand new to the idea of having a furry child. Here’s a couple things to think about before you take the plunge: (1) Getting a pet is not a temporary situation. It is a commitment for the life of the pet. And in some cases, cats and dogs can live to well above 15 years of age. Are you prepared to commit yourself for that long? (2) Do you have the resources to properly care for the pet? In addition to the basics of food, water, rabies shot and a tag & collar, there is also the issue of proper veterinary care, which can include medicines, and flea & tick prevention. (3) Do you have the necessary time to spend with a furry friend to enable them to be happy and well-adjusted?

If you answered these questions with a resounding YES, then let the search begin!  While it is true that you can purchase a purebred dog or cat from a breeder, you can also save the life of your next furry friend by adopting instead of shopping. There are several shelters in the area which conduct pet adoptions at the local and almost every weekend. A lot of shelters foster their pets, which means that they are able to give you a good idea of the pet’s temperament and personality. This is especially helpful if you have other pets in the house and need to know if the new baby is going to be a good fit. They can also provide info regarding the type of diet the pet was being given at the shelter to assist you in planning for the mealtimes in their new home.

If you are looking for a particular breed of animal, Petfinder.com, is a great resource to use. Not only can you search by size or breed, you can also search in your local geographic area.  Vet offices are also a wealth of information about pets needing homes. Both and work closely with area shelters so they usually have info about pets that need homes. Once you find your new furry friend, it is important to take them to a vet’s office to have them checked out and get any additional shots they might need. After all, you want to make sure your new friend is both healthy and happy. 

Once you get your new addition home, you can ease their transition to their new environment by making introductions slowly to other pets or kids. We have a furry herd at my house–5 dogs and 4 cats, all inside furbabies. We always introduce new doggie family members in our fenced-in back yard.  We have done this so many times, that our dogs now do not even react when the neighbors’ cat jumps into our back yard because they think it’s another new addition!

One last thing to note: Cobb County has a leash law, which means if your new pet is outside your house for any reason, they must be on a leash. Not only is it dangerous for your pet to be allowed to roam free in your neighborhood, it is against the law. So do the responsible thing and leash your furry friends when you take them out.

If you have decided you want to join the world of pet parenting, congratulations on your decision! Just please consider adopting instead of buying from a breeder or pet store. All 9 of ours were adopted and we wouldn't trade them for anything. After all, furbabies adopted from shelters can bring just as many years of companionship and enjoyment to you, and you will be saving their life in the process.