staff@sterlingshelter.org
When Should YOU get a Dog?
The Right Reasons and the Wrong Reasons
Wrong:
Because you are lonely - the decision to adopt a dog should not be based on your immediate emotional needs. If you are going through a difficult emotional time, you cannot expect a pet to resolve the problem or to act as a temporary buffer.
Right:
When you want a companion to share your life - Dogs are wonderful companions, but adding a dog to your life means making a long-term commitment to the animal, even through the normal short-term changes that occur in life, such as moving or divorce. Adopting a new friend will work best if you already have a stable home.
Wrong:
To teach a child how to be responsible - taking care of a dog can be a lot of work. It is unrealistic for adults to expect a child to care for a pet with all the responsibilities a dog may need. Adults should not use animals as teaching tools.
Right:
When everyone in your home wants a dog - before bringing a new dog home, household members should be in favor of the adopting and agree to share in the responsibilities of dog ownership. Although parents should be the main caretakers, children can learn pet responsibility without becoming overwhelmed if they are given specific jobs, such as walking or feeding their pet.
Wrong:
Because you feel sorry for a dog in a pet shop - Pity is a poor reason for getting a dog. If you do, you may have give up your new pet anyway, since a pity based decision is not based on realistic expectations, commitment, or a thorough understanding of what your pet's need are. Puppies purchased in pet stores inevitably become sick and often have abnormalities in disposition and/or stature. This may add to a burden to care for a sick puppy with vet bills. Please search on the web for :puppy mills to learn more about the horrific conditions these animals come from.
Right:
When you understand what pet responsibility means - you should not adopt a dog based on an emotional impulse or whim. Before bringing a dog home, educate yourself about pet responsibility and the kind of dog that would best fit your lifestyle. Careful research, honest reflection and education are the keys to keeping a dog and avoiding the tragedy of having to give the animal up. DO NOT adopt or purchase a dog/puppy just because its CUTE, do your research!
Wrong:
Because you think your home needs protection - if you only want to adopt a dog to guard your home, you're better off getting an alarm system. Reliable protection dogs often require more extensive training, socialization and exercise than other dogs. They are often not appropriate family dogs.
Right:
When you think of your dog as a family pet - unless trained by professionals for special jobs or situations, dogs should be considered companion pets and should be given daily attention, care and basic behavior training to make them welcome in society and in your home. Training your dog will not only help you communicate better with your pet, it will help ensure that they relationship will last.
Wrong:
As a surprise gift - dogs and pets for that matter, should be considered family members and not as objects or gifts. Never buy a dog for someone as a surprise. Getting a dog for someone that is not prepared or in agreement with the adoption may cause the animal to end up in a shelter or in a home where he or she is not wanted.
Right:
When you know animals should not be disposable - remember that animals are not disposable. They bond deeply with those they love and should be treated as family members, not as articles of clothing that can easily exchanged or returned. If you want to give someone a dog as a gift, make sure the recipient meets the dog and understands and agreed to the responsibility of dog ownership.
Animal Shelter Inc.
17 Laurelwood Road
Sterling, MA 01564
phone (978)422-8585
fax (978)422-8574
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