Turn to local shelters for family pet

Every day, people in our communities make the decision to become pet owners. Many times, people are willing to spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to bring home the perfect pet in the form of a purebred.

Just like the “mutts” that roam streets or live with neglectful or abusive owners, purebreds’ financial value does not always keep them from a pound. According to the ASPCA, 25 percent of all dogs that enter shelters in America are purebred.

The truth is, shelters everywhere house dogs of every shape, size, color and breed.

Before looking online for purebred or free animals or even heading to a pet store, why not start with our local animal shelters? Welsh and Jennings both have animal shelters with cats and dogs available for adoption; the Animal Relief Foundation operates a temporary shelter in Hathaway filled with sweet dogs of all sizes; the Acadia Parish Animal Shelter is always looking for fosters and forever homes for pets; and Second Chance Paws and Angels 4 Paws are two Crowley-based animal rescue groups that has many dogs and cats to offer.

Some of these animals are spayed or neutered; house trained; micro-chipped; fully vetted; and sometimes more. For anywhere from $10-$60 (depending on any medical costs fosters or rescuers have incurred), you could have a great addition to your family for hundreds less than you would seeking a dog breeder (which also means less breeding and less purebreds being dumped). On top of that, you will have saved an innocent animal from spending one more day in a cage.

If you are willing to become a responsible pet owner, contact a local shelter or rescue group.

Short URL: http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=14014

Posted by Graphic Designer 2 on Sep 14 2012. Filed under Editorial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.