pet ownership
Most people who own animals... shouldn't. I have really gotten frustrated with the sheer number of people who don't know jack or shit about owning a dog or a cat, let alone any sort of exotic animal. Oh sure! Feed the chinchilla rabbit food! That's a GREAT idea! You can keep your ferret in a box that's 2 foot by 3 foot and never let him out. That's fine! Or.... how about more basic and simple things?
Puppies start vaccinations at about 6 weeks old. If your puppy has not started his vaccinations, he is at tremendous risk for things like PARVO! I am tired of people calling and saying their puppies have parvo symptoms, they're 4-6 Months old and haven't had a single vaccine "because they're puppies". Dogs should be finishing their vaccines at 4 months. It's just like having a child, they go through a whole series of immunizations.
What's sad is that then their puppy gets parvo and they (of course) have no money. So then we have to euthanize the animal. Or, in some sad cases, the owner insists on taking it home so it can spread to other animals and let it die painfully at home.
Having a pet is a financial burden and responsibility. Your pet will need yearly vaccinations, food, toys, litter, bedding, treats, medications, vet visits, etc etc etc. It is worrisome that so few people think about these sorts of things when they see the puppies and kittens for sale.
Oh yeah, and you will have to get them spayed or neutered. Of course, so many people don't do that that we have a huge pet overpopulation problem. Of course... "it's wrong to take away her right to be a mother!" or "they should have at least one litter before they're fixed.." or any other other cliche sayings are just inane and proof of a lack of education in any sort of animal husbandry (including OWNING DOGS AND CATS!)
Don't leave your pets behind when you move, thinking they will "just go back to the wild". It doesn't happen. They are eaten by predators or starve or become feral cats... some are lucky and end up being adopted by people who live there who get suckered into feeding them. That's how I got my cat. Somebody just dumped him (and 15 other cats) and left thinking they will just fend for themselves. They're not wild animals, they're domesticated. They're used to meals twice a day, every day. They're fat, lazy house cats. It is a horrible thing to do. At least take responsibility and take them to a shelter. Or, better yet, find a place that will let you have your animals!!
Owning pets is expensive. Don't own them if you can't afford them. It's just that simple!
Puppies start vaccinations at about 6 weeks old. If your puppy has not started his vaccinations, he is at tremendous risk for things like PARVO! I am tired of people calling and saying their puppies have parvo symptoms, they're 4-6 Months old and haven't had a single vaccine "because they're puppies". Dogs should be finishing their vaccines at 4 months. It's just like having a child, they go through a whole series of immunizations.
What's sad is that then their puppy gets parvo and they (of course) have no money. So then we have to euthanize the animal. Or, in some sad cases, the owner insists on taking it home so it can spread to other animals and let it die painfully at home.
Having a pet is a financial burden and responsibility. Your pet will need yearly vaccinations, food, toys, litter, bedding, treats, medications, vet visits, etc etc etc. It is worrisome that so few people think about these sorts of things when they see the puppies and kittens for sale.
Oh yeah, and you will have to get them spayed or neutered. Of course, so many people don't do that that we have a huge pet overpopulation problem. Of course... "it's wrong to take away her right to be a mother!" or "they should have at least one litter before they're fixed.." or any other other cliche sayings are just inane and proof of a lack of education in any sort of animal husbandry (including OWNING DOGS AND CATS!)
Don't leave your pets behind when you move, thinking they will "just go back to the wild". It doesn't happen. They are eaten by predators or starve or become feral cats... some are lucky and end up being adopted by people who live there who get suckered into feeding them. That's how I got my cat. Somebody just dumped him (and 15 other cats) and left thinking they will just fend for themselves. They're not wild animals, they're domesticated. They're used to meals twice a day, every day. They're fat, lazy house cats. It is a horrible thing to do. At least take responsibility and take them to a shelter. Or, better yet, find a place that will let you have your animals!!
Owning pets is expensive. Don't own them if you can't afford them. It's just that simple!