Pause For Our Pets
Getting A New Pet
by Dr. Mindy Cohan
Acquiring a new pet is a big decision and should not be made on a whim. It is a decision to be made by the entire family. Unfortunately, many families cannot keep their adopted pets and these animals are taken to shelters. 3 to 4 million animals are euthanized each year because they do not have homes.
Click to listen to Dr. Mindy talk about getting a new pet!
Things to consider before deciding to get a pet:
- Is anyone in the home allergic to animals?
- Caring for a pet can be expensive. Can the family afford to provide food, supplies and medical care for the pet?
- Some pets can live to be 15 years or more. Are you ready to commit to the care of a pet for many years?
- Pets require daily care (feeding, walking, cleaning litter boxes, grooming, etc.) Do you have the time to devote to proper care of the pet?
- If your family plans to travel a lot, be ready to make arrangement for the pet to have care while you are on vacation. This can be expensive.
- Some apartment and condominium buildings have rules regarding pet ownership. Be sure that pets are permitted where you live.
- Behavioral problems account for the majority of pets returned to shelters. Are you willing to commit to obedience training for dogs and the investment of time when behavioral problems arise in both dogs and cats?
- If you already own a pet, how will it react to a new addition to the family?
Pet Friendly Links
Click here if you are considering adopting a dog from a shelter.
Click here if you already have a dog and are considering a new dog.
Click here for some helpful suggestions for preparing for your new furry family member.
Click here if you are looking for a feline friend and want some helpful suggestions.
Dr. Mindy Cohan made the decision to become a veterinarian at the age of three. She attended Penn State for her undergraduate studies and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Since completing an internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, Mindy has been a small animal practitioner. She currently works at the Fort Washington Veterinary Hospital.
Besides working with animals, Mindy's interests include music, theatre, cycling, and scrap booking. Mindy shares her home with her partner, a physician, and her cat, Bridget.
The song used within our Pause For Our Pets month report is "Doctor Mindy", performed by Steve Pullara and his Cool Beans Band and can be found on his Zooboogie disc. To purchase the CD, just click the cover!