If you wish to adopt a dog, a cat or a pet, here are some common mistakes to avoid: following only your heart, not considering the financial aspect, deciding to adopt alone for the family, neglecting the animal's personality. Remember not to rush when adopting your pet. It deserves careful thought.
First, animal shelters have many residents who just want to be adopted and loved. Before you go, have you fully weighed the consequences of adopting a pet? Then, choosing a particular species and adopting it permanently commits you to your pet for life. The Zoomalia Team therefore encourages you to thoroughly examine your motivations and advises you on the best way to adopt your loyal pet.
The animal shelter is a welcome center that offers pets for adoption such as dogs, cats, horses, exotic pets, and many other animals. It takes in stray, abandoned, sick, and mistreated domestic animals. It's preferable to entrust your pet to them if the owner is no longer capable of taking care of it.
The animal shelter thus limits abandoned animals left in the wild or on public roads and encourages adoption rather than buying in a pet store.
An animal shelter does not replace boarding kennels, which are intended to temporarily house an animal during an owner’s absence or vacation, nor does it replace pounds, which collect stray animals.
Favor an ethical approach aimed at adopting an animal rescued from abandonment or abuse to give it a chance to know you. The SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux) is a French association recognized as being of public utility dedicated to animal protection. Its missions are varied: beyond simple adoption, SPA aims to be engaging and a driving force for the animal cause. It campaigns for animal protection and raises public awareness. It also helps animals' owners in need or in difficulty, collects, and cares for all animals.
They operate on a voluntary basis, with exceptional financial aid from the State, generous donations, and private funds from a few benefactors sensitive to the animal cause. They generally collaborate with foster families responsible for caring for the animal before it is adopted by its owner. However, these structures are subject to controls from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Departmental Veterinary Services Department.
It's not enough to want to adopt a pet, but to be able to. Let's check together if you are really motivated before proceeding with the adoption of your companion.
After welcoming your pet, you must now raise it, feed it, care for it, meet its needs, and protect it. In short, you have signed up for a long-term commitment. For example, the lifespan of a dog is 15 to 20 years.
You will need to budget and soften the expenses related to caring for your pet: adoption fees, microchip implantation, recommended sterilization, especially for cats, food, and pet accessories such as a bowl, kennel, bedding, toys, collar, leash, cage, or transport bag.
Having a pet requires making time to take care of it. Don't expect to leave your companion locked up and alone all day. They will need playtime, training, cuddles and attention, hygiene care, and disinfection of their habitat (cage, kennel, hutch, litter box, etc.). At the very least, feeding and cleanliness are necessary. For their well-being, it is recommended to spend 1 to 2 hours a day with them, and more if possible.
From a young age, a pet needs to be trained and follow some essential house rules. Training facilitates better communication and a good bond between the owner and the pet. It also promotes intelligence, sociability, and the joy of being together, with fewer constraints over time.
Now that you are finally ready to make compromises, it's time to define which animal suits you based on who you are, your resources, and your inevitable absences.
Your character and personality influence the choice of your pet. Depending on the time you can dedicate to them, you will consider several factors such as your work, activities and hobbies, place of residence (countryside or city, house or apartment), your absences, your children, your duties...
The animal's own temperament shouldn't be overlooked: sporty or sedentary, some cannot tolerate solitude while others crave independence.
Allocate a monthly envelope to financially support your pet. Consider the necessary equipment and supplies for their comfort, hygiene, feeding bowls, etc. The size and weight of the animal are important. Feeding a large dog is not the same as feeding a dwarf rabbit. In any case, vet visits are essential, and vaccination will have a certain cost.
Arranging care for your pet is a thought you should mature before proceeding with adoption. What will you do with your companion when you need to be away for multiple reasons (hospitalization, vacations, business trips…)? It seems difficult, even unimaginable, for a puppy to be left on its own for several days. While some farm animals, like chickens, can survive 1 or 2 days thanks to a seed reserve and a water dispenser, as is the case with exotic pets or reptiles in a terrarium or birds in a cage, a cat and a dog present another issue.
Several solutions exist: pet-sitter, home care, boarding, neighbors, etc. Many holiday destinations accept the presence of a pet. You can then consider traveling with them with peace of mind.
Many animals are waiting to find a welcoming and loving family. Visit the websites of shelters like the SPA, the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, 30 Millions d’Amis, and follow their recommendations. You can also view the stars ready to be adopted. Warning, a soft spot is guaranteed!
If you go to the site, it's important to explain your adoption approach. This establishes trust between the shelter and the future owner. You'll also indicate what exactly you're looking for: a dog, a cat, a rodent, a lizard, or if you're still undecided, you'll specify your profile and what you're expecting from your future relationship with your pet. The professional will then direct you toward the best choice.
Ideally, visit with all your family members, by common agreement. Some official documents will be required by the center: ID, proof of residence and resources, etc.
Also, you will need to pay veterinary fees if the animal has been sterilized, vaccinated, or chipped (between €100 and €200).
Finally, choose your shelter with care: simply verify the licenses, cleanliness, professional seriousness, animal health condition, accessibility, and safety of the facility.
For more information on pet adoption procedures, check out this complementary article: Adopting a pet: steps to follow.
Choosing a pet requires thorough reflection with all the household occupants. Have you thought of everything? Then, the process of adopting a pet in an association or private shelter, with breeders or individuals, can begin. The profile of your four-legged companion should match yours. They will entirely depend on you and need your love throughout their life.
Related articles:
The Overlooked Cats: an association that rescues and cares for stray cats for adoption
How to train your puppy? The right actions to take
Adopting a pet: steps to follow
4 reasons to adopt an animal in a shelter
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