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This application can be printed and
Returned to
Hill County Pet Rescue
email hillcountrypetrescue@stx.rr.com
Attention PET Adopters!
WE ARE COMMITTED TO RESPONSIBLE PET
OWNERSHIP PLEASE READ BEFORE
ADOPTING!
1. ADOPTING
get an animal (any animal) then you are making a
commitment to take care of that animal as “till death
do you part”. A pet (dog, cat, bird, etc) did not choose you,
you chose the pet. You made a choice to commit to taking care
of that pet, providing food, water, shelter and vet care to
that pet, just as if it were you own son or
daughter.
2. In the event
you have “BUYERS REMORSE” after getting your
pet than lets make it very clear IF YOU ADOPT FROM US THE PET
IS TO BE RETURNED TO US!
If you get a pet elsewhere and
decide you don’t want that pet anymore then… it is your job
and responsibility to find that pet a new home. You are not
entitled to “DUMP” your pet out on the streets. Realize you
made a mistake, post on Craig’s list, newspapers, contact the
shelters daily, and post ads at work in your restrooms trying
to rehome your dog. Again you made the choice to get that pet,
that pet did not pick you. You can not decide the pet needs to
be gone “TODAY”. Its called taking “RESPONSIBILITY” which for
many is not an option
Hint: If you do take
your dog to a shelter then you should at least offer to make a
donation to that shelter so that it will help go to the care
of your pet. Also consider the fact that many places like ADL,
Snipsa, Humane Society, 4 Paws, allow you to “sponsor” a pet
until it finds its forever home. So if you can not care for
your pet, then at least sponsors it until someone else can. ..
Did I mention that was your “RESPONSIBILITY”!
3.
Do your research
before getting a pet. You need to understand pets are not just
cute. They actually “COST MONEY”. You have to care for a pet
which includes a cage, pet bed, food, vet care, annual shots,
grooming, and emergency vet bills. If you are an apartment
dweller or renter then consider there are “ANIMAL DEPOSITS”!
There is also a cost for the leashes, and all the other pet
related supplies. Pet expenses are not cheap so you need to
sit down and assume before you get a pet that the initial set
up costs are on the low end around $200 (which does not
include the cost to buy the pet). Then monthly you can assume
that each animal (on the low end) will cost $50 a month. If
you can’t afford these costs then guess what “DO NOT GET A
PET”
4. DO NOT use the excuse,
“I AM MOVING, I MUST GET RID OF MY PET!”
Unless you are in the military moving over seas, you have no
reason a pet can not go with you. Yes it was a few extra stops on the highway but there
is a thing called animal cages, animal car seats, etc. Get
Real! You committed to that pet, just because you are
relocating does not excuse you from your commitment to that
pet. Again you chose the pet, it did not choose you!
Apartment Renters, you live in
an apartment now and you are moving. When you are looking for
your new place, consider your first question to that new
apartment should be: Do you allow pets? If so... how many? Are
there weight restrictions? So I am the leasing agent and I say
yes we allow 1 pet and have a restriction of 20lb and you have
German She pard that ways 50lbs guess what, you CAN NOT LIVE
THERE…SO DON’T SIGN A LEASE !!!!
Or another scenario, yes we
except cats only and you have a dog then guess what, you CAN
NOT LIVE THERE… SO DON’T SIGN A LEASE!!!! It is your
“RESPONSIBILITY” to find a place where your pet can go with
you.
5. PET OWNERSHIP COMES WITH
“RESPONSIBILITY” to make sure you pet always
has a tag on. Your pet should also be microchiped.
My favorite excuse is “Oh
we just washed our little buddy and he got out and we had yet
to put his leash & tags back on.” If you’re pet gets out
of the fence, or house it’s your jobs folks to find it. Put up
signs, post on Craig’s list, newspapers, check pounds daily,
and other lost and found web sites. Give flyers to your
neighbors in your area. If you are not willing to commit to
doing this then guess what…DON'T GET A PET!!!!!
6. Last year
in San
Antonio alone
euthanized 32,000 dogs and cats! Yes 32,000 folks! Some were
strays and others were YOUR LOST PETS.
If you loose a pet you
need to check every Lost and Found website available. Just go
to www.google.com and type in the search box, lost and found
pet sites in your town and you will be amazed and what you
find. Also you need to consider that if you are looking for a
pet, right now shelters are overloaded with animals. You can
find your next pet by going to petfinder.com
7. animals may require
“TRAINING”! Its amazing that dogs don’t learn
to house train on there own! It’s crazy a cat does not know
how to use a litter box from birth. These are all things that
require time and training. You have to teach your pet how to
walk on a leash, not jump up on visitors, etc. Know that if
you get a puppy you need to understand that just like a child
they will have a “teething stage” so they may chew. Who knew
animals chewed things up. So during that time you will have to
buy teething rings, chew toys, etc to guide them. Many of you
think oh they chew, get rid of them. Come on people, your
parents did not turn you out because you peed in there face
while changing your diaper, or because you cried for hours
while teething. Same goes for a pet!
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