Animals are not disposable! They are not articles of clothing to be thrown out once they are no longer in fashion. Adopting a dog or cat means making a life long commitment, figure 10-15 years. When you do decide to adopt a pet and make that commitment, there are steps that must be taken to ensure success.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET for your home is essential. Not all dogs and cats are right for every household. Allergies, weight constraints, moving issues, work schedules, lifestyle should all be sorted out before adopting. Large dogs may be too strong or active for small children and senior citizens, and small dogs may be too delicate for very young children.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING is a must. This will help dog owners communicate better with their pets and reinforce the human-animal bond.

CRATE TRAINING is another must. This is one of the great debates. Many people think it is cruel to put their pet in a crate, when actually it's quite the contrary. Using the crate will likely make the adoption a success. Potty training and chewing are principal factors in people returning their pet; this will absolutely not be an issue if you crate train. The dog will actually feel safe and secure in their crate; just make certain the size of the crate is in accordance with the size of the dog. Do not exile your dog to the backyard. Dogs that are constantly left alone can develop behavior issues and become destructive. Dogs will flourish with long walks and companionship. Do not let busy schedules rob your pet's daily needs.

HEALTH & SAFETY is also an essential part of adoption. It doesn't just stop at the adoption fee. Remember to include regular check-ups and yearly vaccinations, food, toys, and miscellaneous supplies. Most shelters will not adopt a pet out without being spayed or neutered, but on the off chance you do get a pet that has not been altered, I implore you to get that done immediately. There are resources available to you that will provide low cost spay/ neuter if finances are an issue. Remember overpopulation due to gross negligence has gotten us into this mess.

Lastly, providing your pet with proper identification is critical. Many shelters provide a microchip, but if you happen to get a pet without one, please go to your local pet store and have one made. It will take 10 minutes and cost a whopping $10.00. Trust me, there are few things as heartbreaking as loosing your pet, and if there is no identification it will make it that much harder to reunite you and your pet.