Eco Elly’s

It seems that there are a lot of people out there who just don’t have their pets’ best interests at heart. And there are even more who do…but are clueless as to what is actually in their pets’ best interests. Animals are part of this world. I believe any good environmentalist should also care about animal welfare. So here’s my guide (with free rant thrown in) to pet ownership and pet care.

1. Do not buy your pet. Period.

“Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them” (HSUS). There is no good excuse for not adopting from an animal shelter. Some bad/weak excuses…and the reasons they’re bad/weak are below.

I want a pure bred dog/cat. So? No problem! Shelters get plenty of pure bred animals! It may take a few visits to find what you’re looking for but it is by no means impossible. And many shelters would probably be willing to give you a call when what you’re looking for comes in. Ask if they have a waiting list. Or…even better…get over wanting a “designer dog/cat.” Mixed breeds make wonderful pets! They tend to inherit the best traits from both parents and tend to be great family pets.

I can get a free pet if I check the classifieds/Craig’s List/etc., why should I pay a fee when I can get one free? First off…there is no such thing as a “free pet.” When you adopt from a shelter that fee not only helps to take care of the animals who are still waiting for homes but it ensures you have a healthy pet. They have the animals checked out by a vet, and make sure they are up to date on shots before putting them up for adoption. Some shelters will even guarantee that their animals are healthy (within reason). For example, our local humane society will cover the costs of treating a cat with a cold…even if the cold isn’t discovered until after taking the cat home (note: feline colds can sometimes become serious if left untreated). And many shelters work with local vets who will give your pet a free check up and free spay/neuter. When you get a “free pet” from Joe Schmoe in the parking lot outside the store you have no idea how healthy those animals are. And if they turn out to be sick Mr. Schmoe certainly isn’t going to care. And he certainly isn’t going to cover the costs of shots and spaying/neutering. Vet bills can be extremely costly. In the end…”free pets” will end up costing you more than the shelter fee. Besides…when people take in “free pets” they’re making it easier for the providers to keep making excuses for not getting their animal spayed/neutered.

The puppy/kitten/whatever at the pet store is sooooo cute! I’ve fallen in love with THAT one! That puppy/kitten/whatever may have come from an abusive puppy farm (or other animal breeder). He may be the cutest thing you’ve ever seen…but as long as people provide business to these breeders they’ll continue doing what they’re doing. It’s hard to let go of an animal you feel a bond with, but there’s an equally cute and friendly pet waiting in a shelter for you. In addition to the sources pet stores sometimes get their animals from the stores themselves can be pretty iffy. My sister once worked at a pet store which had questionable practices (not to mention legally iffy). The bottom line is that pet stores are trying to make money. They do not necessarily have the animals’ best interests at heart (exceptions include PetSmart which allows shelters to adopt animals out through their stores). And if you’re thinking that you should “rescue” the animal from the pet store…don’t. If you “rescue” that one animal now…you’re only continuing to provide a market for more animals later. It’s sad, but true.

I’m not looking for a cat or dog. I’m looking for a hamster/bunny/ferret/mouse/bird/reptile/etc. Again, no problem! Many shelters (especially the Humane Society) place small animals too! Go visit the shelter. If they don’t have what you’re looking for the first time talk to them. They’ll probably be happy to let you know as soon as your desired animal comes in. If, after a long (and I mean long…be patient while waiting for your dream pet) wait you still haven’t had any luck then I would say it’s okay to check the classifieds/Craig’s List/etc. for people who need to re-home their pets. But don’t be fooled by breeders trying to seem like they’re just looking to place their own pet.

2. Outdoor Pets

Listen up, having a pet means having a responsibility. If you’re not willing to do what’s best for your pet then you shouldn’t have one. Dogs who spend their whole lives outside in all kinds of weather (with or without a doghouse) are not happy. Would you be? If you don’t want to make your dog a part of the family and let him in the family home then don’t get a dog. And outdoor cats? Whooo boy! People really don’t seem to “get it” when it comes to outdoor cats. First off, in some cities there is legally no such thing as an “outdoor cat.” Any cat let outside is legally a stray. Animal control can pick it up, and if it isn’t claimed in a certain amount of time (sometimes just days) your pet will be put down. Secondly, don’t buy into the (false) idea that cats need to be let outdoors to be happy. Domestic cats are called domestic for a reason. They’re not only capable of being happy inside…they’re more likely to be happy and healthy if kept indoors. Some of the dangers they encounter outdoors include other cats (cats can be very territorial and they WILL fight), cars, disease, pollution (you may keep the anti-freeze in a safe place…but does your neighbor?), and bad people. There are people who don’t know your beloved cat and don’t care one bit about her. Some people like to torture or tease animals for fun (especially black cats during the Halloween season). Some people will pick up outdoor cats and sell them to labs to be tested on. Others sell them to dog fighters to use as bait. On the flip side outside cats can cause problems for others. Outdoor cats can wreak absolute havoc on the local bird population. And really, you don’t want your neighbors to hate you because fluffy keeps leaving poop in their garden/kid’s sandbox/etc. So, just like with dogs…if you don’t really want a family pet then you shouldn’t have a pet at all. If you think a cat or dog is too much trouble to keep inside then get a goldfish.

3. Spaying/Neutering

Maybe it’s laziness. Maybe it’s ignorance. But too many people are not having their pets spayed/neutered. “Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them” (HSUS). Some people wait until the first litter or puppies/kittens/bunny babies/etc. because they want their kids to witness the miracle of birth. Well…if that’s the case why don’t you take your kids down to the pound to witness the miracle of death too? It’s a lame excuse if I ever heard one. Use books, educational videos, etc. to show them the miracle of birth. Animals are living things…not teaching tools. Some people think that it isn’t natural for an animal to be spayed/neutered and worry that it will affect their pet’s health. Think again. Spaying/neutering, in addition to being good for you and the world, is good for your pet!

4. Pets in cars.

We should all know better than to leave our pet in a car, for any amount of time, ever! It can take just minutes for the heat to kill your pet (and not just in the middle of August). And, more rarely, animals can also be kidnapped from parked cars. Sometimes just to try and get a reward from the hoodwinked owner, other times to sell to testing labs. So either leave Fido at home…or bring him inside with you.

5. Pets as gifts.

My mother taught me at a young age that it’s not appropriate to give a pet as a gift. You can’t be sure the recipient wants the responsibility. She was right! Don’t give pets as gifts. The one exception would be a close family member who has clearly expressed the desire to have and care for a pet (and who can be trusted to make good on any promises to take care of said pet…so no giving into your whining six year old). In that case it would be appropriate to give a small card or certificate promising a trip to the shelter so they can pick out the pet themselves. After all, you may think that little pug faced dog is the cutest thing ever but the recipient may have had something more like a German Shepherd in mind. Don’t saddle them with the responsibility of caring for an animal they didn’t really want. And don’t, I repeat, DON’T give your kids chicks, lambs, bunnies, ducklings, or anything of the sort for Easter! Chicks grow into chickens. Lambs grow into sheep. You get the idea. They don’t stay small and cute forever. Most people don’t even know the proper way to care for ducks, sheep, etc. And, depending on where you live, such pets might not even be legal. Stick with candy and stuffed animals. Or, better yet, have a less materialistic holiday all-together. If you’re celebrating Jesus why not do something Christ-like? Take your family to a soup kitchen and volunteer.

So my main point is this: If you aren’t truly ready to be fully responsible for a living, breathing, feeling creature then just don’t get one.