Protecting Your Pet's Future

One of the most common questions asked by many visitors and prospective adopters at the Wayne Township Animal Shelter is, "Where do you get your animals from?" and the most common answers are that some are brought in as strays or their previous owners could no longer keep them.  And that last answer always elicits interesting conversation; the owner could no longer keep their pet. 

Unfortunate as it may be, that statement is true for the majority of cases at the shelter.  We have obtained animals from people for a variety of reasons, such as the owner became seriously ill, moving to a new place and cannot take their pet with them, have a growing family and no longer have time for their pet and even families who have been disrupted by a divorce, where all members of the family suffer, including their pets.  Sadly, these are just a few of the reasons why a once loved and adored family pet ends up in the shelter now unwanted and lonely. 

THE PROCESS: EMOTIONAL IMPACT

What many people don’t consider is that the process of surrendering a pet to the shelter is a very traumatic experience for that animal and the emotional impact is harsh.  There is fear, confusion, anxiety and depression observed in recently surrendered animals which, depending on the animal’s personality, can linger much longer than with others.  Suddenly thrust into an unknown environment, these animals cower in their cage and show visible signs of separation anxiety from their family.  They were always part of a loving family with the same routine every day, some for as long as 10 years, and now have been surrendered to unfamiliar faces and wait in a cage when they previously had freedom. 

Due to circumstances beyond their control, they are now here in the shelter and the only option they have is to wait for the possibility of another chance at love and happiness in a forever home.  They have to learn to trust again with so many strange faces now in their life.  You can clearly see the fear and anxiety in their eyes when they first arrive at the shelter.  And trying to soothe the hurt and confusion they are experiencing is not easily accepted from a stranger; they just want their family back and their familiar sights and sounds in their comfortable home.  It is not an easy task to comfort an animal which is in this emotional state, physical pain can heal, but the emotional pain lingers as life as they knew it is now changed drastically. 

PROTECT THEIR FUTURE

We understand there are certain extreme cases (owner death, illness, etc.) where surrendering an animal was not planned or ever intended due to very unfortunate situations, and it is acceptable to do what is best for the animal in those cases, but the majority of cases are simply that the animal doesn’t fit into a new lifestyle anymore and is no longer a priority for their owner.  Before a pet is brought into the home, we ask that owners please consider their future as you would any other member of your family and plan ahead to protect it.  The question at the center of this issue is:  What will become of your pet if the circumstances of your life change?

Adopting or purchasing an animal should be a commitment for the life of that animal.  But, unfortunately, sometimes there are situations which arise that can change your life and those in it.  When opening your heart and home to a pet, please consider what your future plans are.  If there is a possibility in a few years that you might have a drastic change (college, new baby, etc.) which you believe will affect your ability to care for your animal, then perhaps this is not the right time in your life to acquire it, and maybe a delay in pet ownership is the right thing to do until your life stabilizes.  It is very easy to take a pet home, but not as easy to surrender it to someone else when you can no longer care for it.   Planning ahead can avoid heartbreak for both you and your pet.  Realize that your pet adores you and believes that they are a member of your family and leaving them behind causes emotional scars that don’t always fade.

WHERE TO FIND US:

WAYNE TOWNSHIP ANIMAL SHELTER

201 Pompton Plains Crossroads

Wayne, NJ 07470

(Located off Route 23 North; take the Jackson Avenue exit)

Website:  www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ516.html

Phone: 973-694-0767

Fax: 973-616-1270

Email: animalshelter@waynetownship.com

STOP BY TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND TODAY!

Check out the link below to see the many loveable furry friends awaiting adoption at the Wayne Township Animal Shelter!  Many of these animals have very sad stories of abandonment and have been waiting at the shelter for a long time, but they still hold out hope for a second chance to get out of their shelter cage one day.  At the Wayne Township Animal Shelter we are committed to finding our dogs and cats loving forever homes which means matching them with the right owner. 

BE A HERO AND ADOPT! 

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS HERE:  www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ516.html