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| 1.
Help one of San Diego’s many homeless pets
by adopting from your local shelter. |
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Visit
the Department
of Animal Services
for info and photos of adoptable pets near you.
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| For
a links to additional information about adoptable
pets at other San Diego County shelters and purebred/mixed
breed rescue groups, click
here. |
| Consider
adopting our wonderful pet
of the week. Many of our pets of the week
have unfortunately been overlooked by many prospective
adopters, and promise to be great companions if you
will just give them a chance. |
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| 2.
Consider the benefits of adopting an older pet. |
The
benefits of adopting an older pet are so numerous,
they won't fit on this page. Visit Senior
Mutt Match for details on how wonderful senior
pets are, and over 100 adoptable pets. Check out
this poem for a perfect explanation of everything
that makes seniors perfect companions.
One By One
One by one, they pass my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
The they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frill?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond the cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed.
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To You, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.
- Author Unknown |
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| 3. If
you are interested in adopting a specific breed
of pet, do your research first. |
| There
are pets of every breed available for adoption, it
is just a matter of finding them. Visit www.Rescuers.com for
a comprehensive guide to purebred adoption in California. |
| For
a list of local rescue groups, click
here. |
| Remember,
many purebreds have behaviors that may or may not
be the best match for your lifestyle (i.e. a young
lab needing a lot of exercise in a small home). Make
sure to thoroughly research the breed before making
your decision. |
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| 4.
Having a pet-friendly child is more critical
that a child-friendly pet. |
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| Pets
get cranky just like people do. The most amiable
of pets are still capable of getting upset when being
pestered by a child (as the above image depicts perfectly).
If you are worried about finding a child-friendly
pet, the first thing you should do is educate yourself
and your child about pet behavior. Help your child
understand how to interact with pets appropriately,
and how protect themself if the need ever arises.
There are plenty of pets to choose from that are
either neutral about children or especially drawn
to children. |
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| 5.
While searching for your new pet, ask for advice. |
| We
are here to help! Send us an email at petoftheweek@sdlocals.com.
We love to answer questions, and we probably know
of several special pets that we think you will love. |
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| 6.
Spay or neuter your pet right away! |
| Click
here for information on SNAP's low cost
spay and neuter programs in San Diego County. |
| Spaying
or neutering your new pet helps reduce pet overpopulation
and lowers their risk for certain health and behavioral
problems. |
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| 7.
The last place you should ever get a puppy or
a kitten is in the pet store. |
| Pets
from a pet store can come from the worst conditions
imaginable. It is not unheard of to spend double
the cost of your pet just on vet bills alone after
buying from a pet store. We know that going into
a shelter can be a bit depressing, and finding a
local rescue group can sometimes be challenging.
This extra effort will be reciprocated infinitely
by your adopted pet who will always love you for
saving their life. We are happy to help with your
search. Send
us an email! |
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| 8.
Enroll in pet training classes. |
| Click
here for information on affordable pet
training classes in San Diego. |
| This
will help you understand each other and helps minimize
behavioral problems - it really works. |
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