ARTICLES /
General / Can Rover Come Over?
By Cheryl
Ellis, Staff
Writer
Creativity in entertaining options should be at
the top of the
list.
Again, long-term
consequences of
keeping or
giving up a pet
should be
evaluated
regularly.
Any success is
cause for
celebration, and
makes challenges
that much easier
to handle.
When all is
said and done,
your loved one’s
creature will be
a reminder of a
shared joy.
Animals are
often underrated
in terms of
memory and
intellect.
Pets do
remember.
A pet that is
not only
“allowed” to
stay with its
owner, but also
welcomed into
the new
environment
bears a special
feeling toward
those who have
included it.
Caregivers, too,
have long
memories, and
must strive to
make those
memories happy
ones.
If you must
surrender a pet
to a shelter,
you will often
be asked if you
have tried every
option.
Consider
interviewing the
individuals
administering
the shelter
(versus simply
talking to
volunteers who
do intake
processing).
There may be
options you have
not considered,
and it is
important that
you have all
information
available.
Surrendering a
pet is a final
decision, and
you release any
hold you have on
the animal
permanently.
You will not be
told if the
animal was
adopted out, and
checking online
status is no
guarantee of
adoption.
NEVER give
the pet to
anyone outside
of any shelter,
even if they
promise they
will take care
of it.
This is
generally posted
outside of any
animal shelter,
but if it isn’t,
you must
remember that
not everyone has
the animal’s
best interest at
heart.
Investigate
more than one
service before
you surrender
any pet.
Specialty breed
rescues should
be able to tell
you enough
information to
help you decide
how reputable
they are.
Remember that
not all shelters
are “no kill.”
Even shelters
that advertise
that they are
may have to
euthanize
animals that
have health
conditions, are
severely
depressed by
being
surrendered, or
who are returned
for behavioral
reasons.
While not all
shelters will
sell animals for
medical testing,
some can and do.
Don’t give
yourself
something to
second guess.
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