There are various situations to consider before adopting a life long friend. It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, fluffy puppy with big paws and big brown eyes, just begging for attention. Or maybe it's a gorgeous adult golden retriever whose tail seems to be wagging just for you. You take one look, and the next thing you know, you're walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.
If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.
Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. dogs require lots of time, money, and commitment-over 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.
Things To Know
The fact that you're thinking about adopting from an animal shelter means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:
Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
Do you have time for a pet? Dogs and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, medication, and other expenses add up quickly.
Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, chewed-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home. If you are a renter, True Love Rescue requires your landlords permission in writing.
Do you have young children? Safety is our top concern when placing a dog with your family. Often, we do not have much information on a rescue dog's history. Our evaluation of a dogs temperament is over a short period of time and cannot be considered comprehensive. For this reason, in most cases, we do not adopt to families with small children (under 5.)
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you're a student, in the military, work long hours or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Our dogs need an attached fenced (at least 5 ft tall) yard for easy outdoor access. Balconies and nearby parks are not acceptable. The rescued dogs often come from deplorable conditions and are often not house-broken. Not having a yard makes it frustrating all around. A fenced in kennel run and in-ground electric fence are not acceptable. Swimming pools must be fenced or covered.
Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.
Adopting a dog From True Love Rescue
Why True Love Rescue?
True Love Rescue is unique as our commitment to meeting the needs of the Golden Retriever breed spans both locally and internationally. Why international? There are many golden retrievers that are abandoned, surrendered and discarded at shelters in other countries. We have built a collaborative network of relationships with rescue groups in several international locales.
Over 60% of the dogs that come through True Love Rescue come from our partner rescue in Taiwan, TPKR. All of our dogs that come from Taiwan are given a thorough physical that includes: vaccinations; spay/neuter; heartworm testing and treatment; removal and biopsies of lumps and cysts; microchipping; dental cleaning and grooming. All of our dogs from Taiwan come with medical records from TPKR, notes on the dogs temperament and electronic links to a set of full X-rays and other pertinent medical information. During their stay at TPKR, their behavior is evaluated for items such as food aggression, reaction to dogs, and reaction to cats if requested. Any dogs that have significant behavior issues are not candidates to make the journey to the United States and find forever homes in Taiwan or become TPKR sanctuary dogs.The dogs typically know basic sign commands and some are already house and leash trained.
The remaining dogs that come through TLR are surrendered, pulled from shelters or rescued from horrible conditions. After they arrive, they are examined for any possible health issues and taken to the veterinarian for appropriate medical care before going to a foster home for further evaluation during the search for the perfect home.
Our goal is to provide each new family with as much information as we can to allow for the ideal placement for each dog. We strive to match each dog’s individual needs with that of each adopting family’s needs and desires.
