Are You Thinking About Adopting?

Kittens, puppies, cats, and dogs – to adopt a pet or not

We know many of you want to adopt a pet when your current lifestyle, landlord, and income restrictions ease or you may have recently lost a pet. If your circumstances now allow you to consider adopting a cat or dog, we recommend you consider the below, in making your decision to adopt a pet or not.

Cat and dog adoption options

There are many potential sources to adopt a pet from. Do you prefer to rescue a cat or dog, give an older cat or dog a second chance, or embrace the cute challenge of a kitten or puppy?

When contemplating adopting a pet, decide which option appeals to you the most:

• Supporting a local pet rescue charity or centre
• Adopt a foster cat, kitten, puppy, or dog

• Friends or family rehoming their dog or cat, due to a change in circumstances
• Retired working dogs or racing Greyhound, needing their retirement home
• An older dog or cat up for adoption after their owner has passed away
• Dogs free to a good home advertisement
• Puppies or kittens for sale from a pet shop, vet clinic, breeder, or online marketplace
• Kittens or puppies for adoption from friends or family whose own pets have given birth

If you are unable to commit fully, an alternative is to foster a dog, puppy, kitten, or cat. Rescue organisations and vet clinics are always wanting suitable foster homes.

Your promise to a new pet

All pets rely on us to provide them with the necessities of life. You must promise to give them:

• freedom from thirst, hunger, and malnutrition
• comfort and shelter
• prevention, rapid diagnosis, or treatment of injury, disease, and parasite infestation
• freedom from distress
• ability to display normal patterns of behaviour.
   

All pets deserve to be microchipped and registered (so they can be returned to you if they get lost or injured), vaccinated against diseases, receive regular flea and worm treatments, have a yearly health check by their vet, and receive prompt veterinary care when injured or sick.

To further enhance your ability to give your new pet a lifetime of care, and to give you peace of mind, we recommend joining a vet clinic’s pet care plan or getting pet insurance.

Prepare to care for a new pet

It’s an exciting time to adopt a cat or dog! Preparation is key to a stress-free and fun introduction into your home. Items to prepare for their arrival include:

• A water bowl or pet water fountain
• Food bowl or automatic pet feeder
• Collar, leash, or harness  
• Safe pet transport, a carrier or cage  
• Cat litter and litter tray (toilet train a kitten, keeping a new cat inside for the first few weeks)
• Puppy training pads (toilet train a puppy)
• Cat scratching post, to save your furniture
• Toys for behavioural enrichment
• Brush & comb for grooming
• Comfy pet bed
• Doghouse (if sleeping outside)
• Pet fence around your section
• Pet door into your house
• Puppy crate or pet playpen for puppy training
   

Pet care when you aren’t there

Cats are independent creatures and so don’t mind time to themselves during the day, when you are at work. Dogs are far more social so if you are not home during the day, they may suffer separation anxiety. Treat balls, doggy daycare or a dog walker are good options to help prevent your canine companion from getting bored or lonely.

We all need a holiday and if you plan to go away, ensure you have some pet care booked in advance. Try a local pet sitter, or a house sitter, if you want your pets to stay at home. Alternatively, book them into a local kennel or cattery. Another option is to take your pet with you and stay in pet-friendly accommodation.

Talk to us today about caring for your new dog, introducing a new cat, or puppy preschool and training.

The above information is provided as an educational guide only and is not a substitute for advice from your pet’s healthcare professionals. If your pet’s symptoms continue, you are concerned about them, or want further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not intended as medical or health advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who understands your pet's individual needs.