Site search
sponsored by
News
ENLARGE
Interaction: Crystal Bedford of Roseburg pets a cat inside its cage while she searches for a cat to adopt at the Saving Grace Animal Shelter in Winchester on Wednesday. The holidays are a popular time of year for pet adoptions.
|
ENLARGE
|
Looking for a pet: Aaron Wilmot of Canyonville walks through the dog kennel waiting to adopt a cat at the Saving Grace Animal Shelter in Winchester Wednesday.
|
|
ENLARGE
|
Kiss: Crystal Bedford kisses Wally, a 15-year-old Siamese mix that she adopted at the Saving Grace Animal Shelter in Winchester on Wednesday. Bedford's friend, Sandy Deaton, looks on.
|
What child hasn't dreamed of waking up on Christmas morning to find a cute, cuddly puppy or kitten under the tree?
The right pet can be the perfect gift, and adopting a pet from an animal shelter can be a way to save a pet from euthanasia.
But adopting a pet is a long-term commitment and needs to be considered seriously.
"What's really exciting in December can just become hard work in January," said Emma Agg, a veterinarian at Parkway Animal Hospital in Roseburg. "They're looking at a 10- to 20-year commitment, not just a cute present at Christmas."
Once children are back in school and the dog needs to be walked or the cat's litter box needs cleaning out, a pet doesn't always seem as fun, she said.
But if people are thinking about adopting a pet for the right reasons, they shouldn't be discouraged. Agg knows that from experience.
"When I was about 10 years old, we got a kitten for Christmas, and it was one of the best Christmases I can remember," she said.
At Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center in Winchester, the staff can help people find a dog or cat that will be a good fit for their families, Executive Director Heather Johnson said.
Many of the animals at Saving Grace are given to the shelter by the owner, so staff members have information about pets' personalities and behaviors.
And the staff has spent time with the pets.
"They know these animals," Johnson said.
Often, people are looking for a specific breed of dog or cat, and when they get the animal home, they find the animal doesn't work with their family.
Saving Grace can help people avoid that.
"We want it to be a success for the animal and the adopter," Johnson said.
<b>
'SURPRISE PETS' BAD IDEA</b>
The U.S. Humane Society does not recommend surprising adults with a pet, and even for children, it recommends giving a gift certificate for a pet adoption.
Johnson said that's a good idea. Then the new owner can help pick out the pet. Spur-of-the-moment decisions are the ones most likely to lead to an unsuccessful adoption, Johnson said.
If one member of the family finds a pet and wants to have others check it out, the shelter will hold an animal for 24 hours with a $10 deposit. If the animal is not bought, the deposit becomes a donation to the shelter.
Chico is a good example of how some adoptions don't work out. When the wrinkly Shar-Pei was brought to the shelter by animal control in October, the staff fell in love with the friendly dog. He was soon adopted.
While Chico gets along well with other dogs, travels well and knows basic commands, he doesn't like cats and couldn't get along with a cat at his new home. The owner had to bring him back to Saving Grace.
Chico has since had eye surgery, courtesy of Oakland Veterinary Hospital, and Johnson believes it won't be hard to find him the right home.
The right pet can be the perfect gift, and adopting a pet from an animal shelter can be a way to save a pet from euthanasia.
But adopting a pet is a long-term commitment and needs to be considered seriously.
"What's really exciting in December can just become hard work in January," said Emma Agg, a veterinarian at Parkway Animal Hospital in Roseburg. "They're looking at a 10- to 20-year commitment, not just a cute present at Christmas."
Once children are back in school and the dog needs to be walked or the cat's litter box needs cleaning out, a pet doesn't always seem as fun, she said.
But if people are thinking about adopting a pet for the right reasons, they shouldn't be discouraged. Agg knows that from experience.
"When I was about 10 years old, we got a kitten for Christmas, and it was one of the best Christmases I can remember," she said.
At Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center in Winchester, the staff can help people find a dog or cat that will be a good fit for their families, Executive Director Heather Johnson said.
Many of the animals at Saving Grace are given to the shelter by the owner, so staff members have information about pets' personalities and behaviors.
And the staff has spent time with the pets.
"They know these animals," Johnson said.
Often, people are looking for a specific breed of dog or cat, and when they get the animal home, they find the animal doesn't work with their family.
Saving Grace can help people avoid that.
"We want it to be a success for the animal and the adopter," Johnson said.
<b>
'SURPRISE PETS' BAD IDEA</b>
The U.S. Humane Society does not recommend surprising adults with a pet, and even for children, it recommends giving a gift certificate for a pet adoption.
Johnson said that's a good idea. Then the new owner can help pick out the pet. Spur-of-the-moment decisions are the ones most likely to lead to an unsuccessful adoption, Johnson said.
If one member of the family finds a pet and wants to have others check it out, the shelter will hold an animal for 24 hours with a $10 deposit. If the animal is not bought, the deposit becomes a donation to the shelter.
Chico is a good example of how some adoptions don't work out. When the wrinkly Shar-Pei was brought to the shelter by animal control in October, the staff fell in love with the friendly dog. He was soon adopted.
While Chico gets along well with other dogs, travels well and knows basic commands, he doesn't like cats and couldn't get along with a cat at his new home. The owner had to bring him back to Saving Grace.
Chico has since had eye surgery, courtesy of Oakland Veterinary Hospital, and Johnson believes it won't be hard to find him the right home.
While a small percentage of adoptions don't work out, most people are very happy with their new pets, Johnson said. Shelter staff are committed to making sure owners and pets are happy, and they make followup calls to see if the owner needs help.
<b>ADOPTION BENEFITS</b>
Adopting from Saving Grace has other advantages.
The shelter gives all animals their first vaccinations and provides a free initial visit to one of seven local veterinarians who donate their services. All pets are dewormed and treated for fleas and ear mites. Pets come with an identification microchip, and the price of the animal includes spaying or neutering and 30 days of pet health insurance.
Adopting a pet costs from $25 to $110, depending on the type, size and gender of the animal.
If something goes wrong, the shelter will provide a refund within five days or 10 days with a veterinarian's note.
Saving Grace has about 50 adoptable cats and about 30 adoptable dogs.
Currently, it has a large number of kittens and puppies. The shelter experienced a large influx of cats since March, taking in more than 5,000 cats.
During the winter, people bring in more puppies, Johnson said. Puppies are easier to take care of during the summer, but when the weather gets colder and wetter, new owners find the puppies are too much work.
The shelter also has adult animals, which, according to the Oregon Humane Society Web site, can be better companions than a puppy or a kitten. Adult pets are usually less destructive and know basic commands. They also handle being left alone better than young pets.
Jerry Stoffal was planning to buy a rottweiler puppy, but the sale didn't work out, and he heard that Saving Grace had an adult rottweiler named Zoe.
Tuesday, Stoffal took his 14-year-old son, Jered, on one of his daily visits to see the dog. Zoe had kennel cough and was quarantined, so she couldn't go home until Friday.
"First of all, we were told that there was a female rottweiler that was very sweet," Stoffal said. "And she obviously needed a good home."
Stoffal thought an adult dog would be easier to handle than a puppy.
"Puppies are a challenge," Stoffal said. "They demand as much time as a child if you want to raise them right."
Stoffal is planning to take Zoe to obedience classes so the pair can understand each other well, he said. And he has eight acres of fenced property that she'll be able to play on.
Saving Grace does check to make sure potential owners will be able to adequately house a pet.
People planning to adopt a pet should allow about 30 minutes to complete the paperwork.
"If there's anything that we do have concerns about, we do question them on it," Johnson said.
<b>ADOPTION BENEFITS</b>
Adopting from Saving Grace has other advantages.
The shelter gives all animals their first vaccinations and provides a free initial visit to one of seven local veterinarians who donate their services. All pets are dewormed and treated for fleas and ear mites. Pets come with an identification microchip, and the price of the animal includes spaying or neutering and 30 days of pet health insurance.
Adopting a pet costs from $25 to $110, depending on the type, size and gender of the animal.
If something goes wrong, the shelter will provide a refund within five days or 10 days with a veterinarian's note.
Saving Grace has about 50 adoptable cats and about 30 adoptable dogs.
Currently, it has a large number of kittens and puppies. The shelter experienced a large influx of cats since March, taking in more than 5,000 cats.
During the winter, people bring in more puppies, Johnson said. Puppies are easier to take care of during the summer, but when the weather gets colder and wetter, new owners find the puppies are too much work.
The shelter also has adult animals, which, according to the Oregon Humane Society Web site, can be better companions than a puppy or a kitten. Adult pets are usually less destructive and know basic commands. They also handle being left alone better than young pets.
Jerry Stoffal was planning to buy a rottweiler puppy, but the sale didn't work out, and he heard that Saving Grace had an adult rottweiler named Zoe.
Tuesday, Stoffal took his 14-year-old son, Jered, on one of his daily visits to see the dog. Zoe had kennel cough and was quarantined, so she couldn't go home until Friday.
"First of all, we were told that there was a female rottweiler that was very sweet," Stoffal said. "And she obviously needed a good home."
Stoffal thought an adult dog would be easier to handle than a puppy.
"Puppies are a challenge," Stoffal said. "They demand as much time as a child if you want to raise them right."
Stoffal is planning to take Zoe to obedience classes so the pair can understand each other well, he said. And he has eight acres of fenced property that she'll be able to play on.
Saving Grace does check to make sure potential owners will be able to adequately house a pet.
People planning to adopt a pet should allow about 30 minutes to complete the paperwork.
"If there's anything that we do have concerns about, we do question them on it," Johnson said.
SAVING GRACE glance
<b>WHAT:</b> Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center
<b>WHERE:</b> 943 Del Rio Road off Interstate 5 at Winchester Exit 129 <b>HOURS:</b> Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shelter is closed Mondays. <b>ADOPTION COSTS:</b> Unspayed female cats are $55; unneutered males are $40; altered cats, $40; altered dogs, $55; unaltered dogs, $80 to $110, depending on size and gender. All fees include first veterinarian visit, first round of vaccinations, microchip identification, spay/neuter and 30 days of pet health insurance are included. <b>INFORMATION:</b> 672-3907 or www.savinggrace.info. |
If a person is renting, Saving Grace calls the landlord to make sure pets are allowed.
<b>
VET FOLLOW-UPS</b>
Once someone buys a pet, following up with a veterinarian is important, Agg said.
Veterinarians can provide a well animal check to make sure the pet is healthy, and pets often need some or all of their vaccines.
Saving Grace animals have their first shots, but they usually need to finish up their series of vaccinations, Johnson said.
Agg said the animal hospital often sees cats with upper respiratory problems and dogs with parvovirus. Up-to-date vaccinations prevent both conditions.
The holidays can also be stressful for any pet, whether newly adopted or an established member of the household. Having a quiet place a pet can go during parties can help, Agg said, and people who have children visiting should be especially mindful of their pets.
While some pets thrive on the extra attention, most pets like routine, she added.
Keeping food out of pets' reach is important, too.
"Over the holiday season, there's a lot of food out on the table," Agg said. "Chocolates can be fatal if dogs eat them."
The Oregon Humane Society has other tips for keeping pets safe around the holidays.
Securing the Christmas tree will keep curious pets from knocking it over, and breakable ornaments should be reserved for high branches. Tinsel is not recommended. Covering the tree water bowl will keep the tree green and pets safe from any chemicals used for preservation.
Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies and amaryllis can be toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach.
Curling ribbon can be dangerous if cats eat it, so the Oregon Humane Society suggests stick-on bows instead.
For those who aren't ready for a pet of their own, there is a way to help the animals at Saving Grace without taking them home. Mini Pet Mart and Saving Grace are collecting toys for the dogs and cats at the shelter.
<b>
VET FOLLOW-UPS</b>
Once someone buys a pet, following up with a veterinarian is important, Agg said.
Veterinarians can provide a well animal check to make sure the pet is healthy, and pets often need some or all of their vaccines.
Saving Grace animals have their first shots, but they usually need to finish up their series of vaccinations, Johnson said.
Agg said the animal hospital often sees cats with upper respiratory problems and dogs with parvovirus. Up-to-date vaccinations prevent both conditions.
The holidays can also be stressful for any pet, whether newly adopted or an established member of the household. Having a quiet place a pet can go during parties can help, Agg said, and people who have children visiting should be especially mindful of their pets.
While some pets thrive on the extra attention, most pets like routine, she added.
Keeping food out of pets' reach is important, too.
"Over the holiday season, there's a lot of food out on the table," Agg said. "Chocolates can be fatal if dogs eat them."
The Oregon Humane Society has other tips for keeping pets safe around the holidays.
Securing the Christmas tree will keep curious pets from knocking it over, and breakable ornaments should be reserved for high branches. Tinsel is not recommended. Covering the tree water bowl will keep the tree green and pets safe from any chemicals used for preservation.
Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies and amaryllis can be toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach.
Curling ribbon can be dangerous if cats eat it, so the Oregon Humane Society suggests stick-on bows instead.
For those who aren't ready for a pet of their own, there is a way to help the animals at Saving Grace without taking them home. Mini Pet Mart and Saving Grace are collecting toys for the dogs and cats at the shelter.
But the perfect gift for an animal at Saving Grace is a new home. Shelter staff members don't like to euthanize pets, but the volume of animals the shelter receives exceeds its capacity to house them.
"When you adopt from us, you're saving a life," Johnson said.
<hr>
<b>ADOPTION questions
Things to consider before adopting a pet</b>
Why do you want a pet?
Do you have time for a pet?
Can you afford a pet?
Are you prepared to deal with special problems pets can cause, such as fleas, scratched-up furniture, house training and medical emergencies?
Can you have a pet where you live?
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?
Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation?
Will you be a responsible pet owner?
Are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for its entire lifetime?
Information from The Humane Society of the United States. For more information, visit www.hsus.org.
* You can reach reporter Teresa Williams at 957-4230 or via e-mail at twilliams@newsreview.info.
"When you adopt from us, you're saving a life," Johnson said.
<hr>
<b>ADOPTION questions
Things to consider before adopting a pet</b>
Why do you want a pet?
Do you have time for a pet?
Can you afford a pet?
Are you prepared to deal with special problems pets can cause, such as fleas, scratched-up furniture, house training and medical emergencies?
Can you have a pet where you live?
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?
Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation?
Will you be a responsible pet owner?
Are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for its entire lifetime?
Information from The Humane Society of the United States. For more information, visit www.hsus.org.
* You can reach reporter Teresa Williams at 957-4230 or via e-mail at twilliams@newsreview.info.
