adoption
Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.
10 Reasons Why You Should Adopt From an Animal Shelter
Are you deciding whether or not to adopt a pet? Let’s discuss why you might want to because, in the following, you’ll discover the benefits of adopting from an animal shelter, including adding a healthy animal into your family that is being taken care of by a veterinarian.
Squee’s New Home
The trip "home"—time has no meaning for cats like us—not like humans. We eat when our tummies say we’re hungry, we sleep when we’re tired, we play when we have bursts of energy... I can’t tell you exactly how long or how short the time was to the next visit that the people that smelled similar to our caretakers was, all I know is that I was taken away from my siblings and never saw them again—or at least not in the same light anyway. I was picked up, placed on a lap, and stayed there the whole trip—might have even fallen asleep for a bit. The trip there wasn’t unpleasant, but it was rather jarring to be introduced to a new environment, minus all my siblings. I was put in a room, why I don’t know, and I protested... loudly. I escaped first chance I got—but wait, who was this? Not one of my siblings, for certain, but it was certainly another of my species; at that moment I didn’t really care. I hissed at him, and hissed back at me; I was mad—how DARE they take me away from the only family I knew and drop me in a strange place, with a stranger? I was closed in the room again, unhappy and confused. Time wore on, and I got to meet this other member of my species, this time having decided to make the best of my situation.
Laura GiegPublished 5 years ago in PetlifeWhy You Should Adopt a Senior Dog
In my lifetime, I've been fortunate that five dogs have consented to live with me—not an easy feat, if you knew me in real life.
Grace HanamotoPublished 5 years ago in PetlifeMy Job Sucks
I just started a new job as the kennel manager for an animal rescue group called Pawsafe. From the moment I met my boss and heard her talk about this rescue, I knew it was the right fit for me. I could hear the passion in her voice, and it sounded like what I at least think I sound like when I talk about helping animals. By the end of the interview, not only was I offered the job, but I also accepted it and immediately started brainstorming ideas for the kennel. However, as much as I love my job, and no matter how excited I am to be doing it, there are some hardships that come with working in animal rescue.
Hannah YorkPublished 5 years ago in PetlifeCody
I first set eyes on Cody in a cage in a pet rescue shelter, in a town 10kms from my home. I was looking for a dog to be a guard dog and pet.
Mike Marsden-HillPublished 5 years ago in PetlifeShorty
After working for years in animal shelters and rescue, I have seen things I wish I could forget. Sometimes, we need to focus on the positive and learn from the negative. We MUST educate the public and tell the stories of those with no voice to ensure that future generations can make better choices.
Lori BriziusPublished 5 years ago in PetlifeAdoption Number Three
Well, folks, we've expanded our family again. We have another boy in our midst. He came to us by way of a family whose cat had kittens and they couldn't keep the babies. It was a spur of the moment decision to bring him home, but once we made the decision and given him his name, it was all we could think about until the day we picked him up. In the true nature of our naming practices, my husband named the new baby. I wasn't quite sure about the name he chose at first, but once I met him, I knew it was perfect. My husband got the name from a radio host on a local station. Apparently, the man's last name is Brutus, and he got hooked on the name. Eventually, so did I.
Jessye GouldPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeAnimal Shelter Staff Worker
I used to work at an animal shelter. I know what you’re thinking, “you’re so lucky, you get to play with puppies and kitties all day.” If by playing you mean cleaning litter boxes, spraying out kennels, and having kittens using you as a scratching post, then yes. It was a lot of work taking care of all the animals: making sure everyone has fresh food and water, changing litter boxes, letting all the dogs out, mopping all the floors, etc... but I loved it anyway.
Laura JelsmaPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeWhy You Should Actually Support 'Kill Shelters'
I know, I know... am I crazy?! Support places that murder healthy animals? It sounds ridiculous when you say it like that, but hear me out. First off, we need to dive into what a "kill shelter" even is. The term "kill shelter" is given to places that euthanize healthy and adoptable dogs, cats, and everything in between. This means the animals can be completely adoptable. As in, they're not just healthy, but sweet, friendly, and playful; puppies and even kittens, too. Yes, the perfect family pet in a lot of cases, but why? Why would anyone do such a thing and how on earth could I support that? Well, we have to go even deeper into why euthanizing a healthy animal is even an accepted thing in the first place. It seems rather barbaric but is, in fact, a requirement for these organizations. They don't enjoy doing it and the workers are just as sad as you are, trust me.
Mollie UnderwoodPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeBaby
One day while I was at work, I received a text from my fiancé. It was a picture of a dog. When I asked whose dog it was, he replied with, "I found her on the side of the road and spent an hour trying to coax her over to me." He snapped the picture before heading over to the police station so they could try to find her owners. He called the next day to check in on her and was directed to the local animal shelter since she had no chip. The shelter said she was quarantined for two weeks while they tried to locate her owners and make sure she had no illnesses.
Brandy LetourneauPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeWhat Adoption Means to Me
Adoption Means Giving a Chance Walking into the kennels at the shelter, this is the first sight we caught of Cosmo (then Sweetie). I recall thinking that she was the cutest dog I had seen in a long time, but she also broke my heart the moment I saw her. When her cage was approached, her first instinct wasn’t to bark, to run away, or even growl. Her first instinct was to sit there. To watch you meticulously, wondering, “Is this someone I can trust?” “Will these people get me out of this cage?” “Will they love me?”
Paige JonesPublished 6 years ago in PetlifeThe Love of a Rescue Pitt Bull
Everyone scrolls through Facebook when they are bored or have nothing to do, and I am no different. I tend to scroll through Facebook to see what everyone is doing that I grew up with or to see what different family members are doing daily, because we can't always talk to each other.
stacie johnsenPublished 6 years ago in Petlife