If you have chosen to adopt an animal instead of buying one, good for you! These animals deserve a break!
There are two main reasons that we have so many adoptable pets for you to choose from:
1. Lack of Spaying and Neutering -- When females are spayed and males are neutered, new animals are not born. This means that no one has to find homes for the puppies or kittens and dump the ones that are left behind. Spaying and neutering of dogs and cats would cut down on oops or unwanted animals. And, when you think about it, a one-time operation is cheaper than the time and money you would spend feeding the baby animals and trying to find them homes.
2. Time-consuming -- Quite a few pets come from people not understanding that a pet is a LIFETIME COMMITMENT. Pets take a good chunk of money and time and people don't take that into account when they get a new animal. If you get a puppy, there are quite a few things you are now responsible for:
- Basic supplies (dishes, collar, tags, leash, treats, fence/chain, dog house, toys)
- Nutrition and hydration (food, water)
- Training (basic obedience to agility to anything in-between)
For more information on training, contact Sioux City Animal Control Director Cindy Rarrat.
- Medical costs (shots, surgeries, check-ups, etc.)
With the exception of basic supplies and training, you need to provide food and medical care for the animal's entire life! You can't just stop in the middle and say you're done.
All of that costs money, and sometimes, it's not cheap. Training your dog will take time. It is unfair for people to expect their pets to be perfect if they don't take the time to train them. Contrary to popular belief, they are not born knowing how to sit, down, shake, roll-over, speak, just like we are not born knowing how to talk, read and write. It takes time to teach animals what we think are just the basics.
Here are 7 great reasons to adopt a rescue animal:
1. Rescued animals bond with families just as well as a 6 week old animal would.
2. It is easier to find an adult dog that is compatible with your family by adopting a rescue.
3. An adult rescue may already have basic housetraining, manners, less destructive behavior, and obedience training.
4. Rescued animals are not inferior, far from it actually. Animals that are given up voluntarily from their original owner sometimes actually come with their papers!
5. Adopting a rescued animal is socially responsible. Feel good that you are helping positively contribute to your community.
6. Adopting a rescued animal is compassionate.
7. Every time an animal is adopted into a loving home, their future becomes a great deal more certain.
Whenever you decide you are ready to adopt an animal, we are always ready to offer you any help or advice that you may need in order to make informed decisions.
