Adopt a shelter pet

Published 8:00 am Wednesday, October 2, 2019

October is recognized nationally as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

Whether a cat, dog or other pet, we encourage our readers to always consider shelter animals in need of a home.

Pet adoption just makes sense.

Adopting a pet from a shelter more often than not saves an animal’s life.

Shelters, pet-fostering “parents” and animal-rescue groups have a much wider variety of pets than most people realize.

No matter what you are looking for, regardless of breed, size, temperament or age, there are dogs, cats and other pets needing a forever home.

Many families will find that by adopting an older pet they can avoid some of the issues that are often associated with bringing a puppy or kitten into the home.

Some people just aren’t well suited for house training, coping with a chewing puppy that is teething or getting a cat used to its litter box.

While there are basic fees associated with pet adoption, there is no comparison to the cost of purchasing an animal from a pet store or a breeder.

Literally millions of dogs and cats are put to death each year, because they have no home.

Yet, millions of people bring a new pet into their homes each year, often paying a store or breeder hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for the animal.

The Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society offers pet adoptions for $100 for dogs and $50 for cats.

All animals adopted from the shelter are spayed or neutered before they go to their new home and they are also microchipped.

The Miss Kitty Feline Sanctuary also has cats available for adoption. Once you find the cat you want to take home, you fill out a one-page questionnaire and meet with an adoption counselor. If it is determined that the adoption is a good match you fill out the one-page adoption contract.

If the adoption is a good fit, you fill out a one-page adoption contract. The cost of adoption at Miss Kitty is $25 and it covers spaying and neutering, tests for feline leukemia and AIDS, rabies vaccine, microchip and two other annual vaccines.

The county’s animal shelter encourages responsible pet ownership and reminds pet owners that providing proper care is not only the right thing to do, it is the law.

Basic animal care includes:

— A rabies vaccination — It’s the law.

— Proper shelter and protection from the elements.

— Constant access to fresh, clean water.

— Proper nutrition.

— Heartworm prevention.

— A microchip.

— An annual vet exam.

— Spay/neuter.

Again, we encourage our readers if they are considering bringing a pet into their homes, to visit the animal shelter first and to have serious family discussions about the responsibilities of pet ownership before adopting your new pet.

For more information on pet adoption and what pets are available, visit thomasvillehumane.org or misskittysanctuary.com.