Nonprofit Adoptions
More and more people reconize the importance of pet adoptions from nonprofit agencies. This is a good thing to do, but brush up on the
new rules before you go.
new rules before you go.
New Pet Adoptions
Older Americans adopting a pet from a nonprofit agency.
Most of us today remember when we were young and our Families let us adopt a pet from a friend for free with a promise of the animal being a male and of course, to feed it.
Now days shelters usually have the animal already neutered or spayed along with necessary shots. We learned about preventive vet visits and proper shelter all year round. Thanks to organizations such as the ASPCA. And on TV shows such as Animal Planet.
People became more knowledgable and responsible.
A trip to a local agency, showed myself and my mother just how far changes have gone.
My Mother who is in her 80's lost her cat to complications of old age. She does live alone, but does have 4 adult children she can call on.
We made the drive to the shelter to recieve a cat under the "senior for senior" program. Any person over the age of 60 can recieve a cat over the age of 8yrs for free. This is a good program, but does have areas in need of improvement In mid afternoon during the week we went to find a kitty.The building is back away from the road with a "farm yard" out back.
Cats were located on one side of the building and dogs on the other. Dogs were in kennels, Cats were
caged and locked in a semi-glassed room, all the cages faced the center of the room.
First we filled out 2 full sheets of basic paperwork.Then the waiting game started sitting in hard plastic chairs in a small area for an hour.
Explaining we were here for the senior adoption program I asked to go into the locked room to view the available cats. We quickly learned that entering the room was forbidden. That we would have to wait another 45mins to speak with an animal counselor.
We then would see a cat in a closed room,
Not picking out a cat today meant waiting another month to reapply. We learned that it was necessary to write down cage numbers of cats we could look at today. Since only 4 cats were over 8yrs old, and the cage numbers were in small print, we were finally allowed to skip this step and proceed to the next.
One cat was 13yrs old and another weighed over 23lbs! Finally an 8yr old very small stray that had years earlier broke her hind hip and was blind in one eye was brought into the room for monitered interaction. A special needs cat. Her little life limited by her circumstances. But now this cat was going to have a loving home. Of course, first we had to fill out more forms. And spend 45min listening to a girl explain cat care.
Now days shelters usually have the animal already neutered or spayed along with necessary shots. We learned about preventive vet visits and proper shelter all year round. Thanks to organizations such as the ASPCA. And on TV shows such as Animal Planet.
People became more knowledgable and responsible.
A trip to a local agency, showed myself and my mother just how far changes have gone.
My Mother who is in her 80's lost her cat to complications of old age. She does live alone, but does have 4 adult children she can call on.
We made the drive to the shelter to recieve a cat under the "senior for senior" program. Any person over the age of 60 can recieve a cat over the age of 8yrs for free. This is a good program, but does have areas in need of improvement In mid afternoon during the week we went to find a kitty.The building is back away from the road with a "farm yard" out back.
Cats were located on one side of the building and dogs on the other. Dogs were in kennels, Cats were
caged and locked in a semi-glassed room, all the cages faced the center of the room.
First we filled out 2 full sheets of basic paperwork.Then the waiting game started sitting in hard plastic chairs in a small area for an hour.
Explaining we were here for the senior adoption program I asked to go into the locked room to view the available cats. We quickly learned that entering the room was forbidden. That we would have to wait another 45mins to speak with an animal counselor.
We then would see a cat in a closed room,
Not picking out a cat today meant waiting another month to reapply. We learned that it was necessary to write down cage numbers of cats we could look at today. Since only 4 cats were over 8yrs old, and the cage numbers were in small print, we were finally allowed to skip this step and proceed to the next.
One cat was 13yrs old and another weighed over 23lbs! Finally an 8yr old very small stray that had years earlier broke her hind hip and was blind in one eye was brought into the room for monitered interaction. A special needs cat. Her little life limited by her circumstances. But now this cat was going to have a loving home. Of course, first we had to fill out more forms. And spend 45min listening to a girl explain cat care.
Kitty finds a home
Expensive kitty finds a home
After 2 1/2hrs the cat finds a home. Now per agreement the cat was taken to a private vet.
No surprises after the exam except for the vet bill.
Two weeks later the cat became ill, no eating, lots of biting. After speaking to 2 private vets, the cat was returned. The "drop off" was a tiny hallway where waiting for assistance was a 1/2hr wait.
The kind older vet took our phone numbers in case nothing was found to be terminal.
Good news, the cat could be taken home and was doing much better. Bad news. Only one free adoption allowed.
Vet care, room & board, and fee of $100.00 had to be paid first. Lucky for the cat, the money was scraped up and the bill paid. This specail needs animal now has a warm and loving home.
No surprises after the exam except for the vet bill.
Two weeks later the cat became ill, no eating, lots of biting. After speaking to 2 private vets, the cat was returned. The "drop off" was a tiny hallway where waiting for assistance was a 1/2hr wait.
The kind older vet took our phone numbers in case nothing was found to be terminal.
Good news, the cat could be taken home and was doing much better. Bad news. Only one free adoption allowed.
Vet care, room & board, and fee of $100.00 had to be paid first. Lucky for the cat, the money was scraped up and the bill paid. This specail needs animal now has a warm and loving home.
That Needed Facelift
Making Good even Better
Shelters need the communities they serve. They need money and people to continue the aid for the animal population. No one wants to see an animal "put down"
We need our older generation and those on limited incomes to provide warm homes and loving care.
Shelters need to be people friendly. Larger areas
for waiting, the use of cushioned chairs, and streamling the paperwork. Larger text and clipboard.
Gentler questions, instead of, who will care for the animal when you die, to; is there a second caregiver available in case of emergency, sounds kinder and gives the same information from our older adults.
Dropping off a sick or injured pet should be staffed with at least one attendant. If as most, the animal is to be put down allow the family to leave after the inital paperwork is done. No one should wait for an animal to be destroyed. And last I would like to see a free pet, be a free pet. Too many animals need homes and too many adults need a loyal pet.
Let your local shelter know of your views and concerns. Bernie
We need our older generation and those on limited incomes to provide warm homes and loving care.
Shelters need to be people friendly. Larger areas
for waiting, the use of cushioned chairs, and streamling the paperwork. Larger text and clipboard.
Gentler questions, instead of, who will care for the animal when you die, to; is there a second caregiver available in case of emergency, sounds kinder and gives the same information from our older adults.
Dropping off a sick or injured pet should be staffed with at least one attendant. If as most, the animal is to be put down allow the family to leave after the inital paperwork is done. No one should wait for an animal to be destroyed. And last I would like to see a free pet, be a free pet. Too many animals need homes and too many adults need a loyal pet.
Let your local shelter know of your views and concerns. Bernie
by yourbounty
Hello world. This is my bio. for Your Bounty.
I hail from Upstate NY
Spent most of Adult Years working with the
disabled.
Now one yr of advertising m... (more)
I hail from Upstate NY
Spent most of Adult Years working with the
disabled.
Now one yr of advertising m... (more)
