Thinking of adding a fur-ever friend to your family? Consider adopting one from a rescue shelter instead; they're chock-full of adorable pets full of love to give, eager to be taken home by a loving owner. There are so many heartfelt rewards of adopting, and we think it beats buying a pet from a pet shop.
What are the benefits of adopting a rescue pet?
Firstly, you’ll feel good knowing you are helping to reduce the number of pets in animal shelters or being euthanised. You’ll also instantly feel their love and appreciation for you giving them a second chance at life. What’s more, they often come already socialised and toilet trained with basic manners through their previous time in foster care. “Then it’s just about reinforcing the existing desired behaviours and building on these,” says certified applied animal behaviourist Dr Kate Mornement.
It can be expected that your adopted pet may be a little anxious or timid, but Lara Shannon, a certified dog trainer and behaviourist and National Pet Adoption Month ambassador says, “Seeing them then transform into a calm, loving and playful companion makes any challenge more worthwhile.”
It can also be a more financially attractive option over buying a pet, as the fees are lower and they come already desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.
What should you consider before adopting a pet?
Lifestyle and personality
Consider factors like whether you have the time to exercise, train and spend time with your pet. Do you go away a lot and can you arrange for someone to care for them when you do?
Home and life circumstances
Consider what your home and life circumstances are not just now, but also in the future. Do you have the space to accommodate the pet you want? According to the RSPCA, having a pet can be a ten to 15-year commitment. Do you have future plans to move house, relocate overseas, or start a family? Some shelters may need to see approval from landlords to ensure that their animal doesn’t have the distressing experience of being returned to the shelter.
Finances
Next, consider the financial costs you will incur for a pet.
Vickie Davy, the founding director of Pet Rescue, says “A rescue pet doesn't have a fixed price tag. It depends on age, breed, size, species and even location. Adoption fees can be anywhere from $50 to a few thousand dollars. Rescue groups might drop the adoption fees for pets that often take longer to find a family - senior pets, big dogs, or pets with special needs.” These fees do go back to the rescue shelter so another animal can be adopted.
Then there are the costs of caring, says Dr Nicole Rous, a Melbourne veterinarian. “For example, for dogs, the most expensive pet, annual food can cost on average around $1800.” Then there are vet and preventative care costs such as wormers, grooming and pet insurance, and each item can be in the hundreds and thousands of dollars.
What type of animal will suit you?
The staff at rescue shelters will have the expertise and passion to help you choose the right pet and breed for your lifestyle, circumstances and personality. Research the breed-specific needs of your new pet such as common temperaments to ensure a good match with you.
Throughout March, PETstock, as part of National Pet Adoption Month welcomes you to come into its stores to learn more about pet adoption and fostering. You're also encouraged to consider adopting differently this year, by considering a pet that may be a little different to what you had hoped for and yet may be better suited to you. Perhaps you want a dog but don’t have the time to walk them every day - would a cat better suit your lifestyle?
For example, according to Dr Rous, greyhound breeds are lovely, loyal, intelligent and gentle. So much so, that in a new and world-first initiative launched earlier this year, retired greyhounds will be retrained to serve as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) companion animals for Australia’s Federal Police. Dr Rous says they may just need some transition training to help them move from kennel life to a domestic home.
Dr Kate Mornement says. “For those concerned about being in the office and leaving their pet, a bonded pair could be the answer as they have each other for company.”
