National Adopt a Pet Day offers a great time to find a new friend

Hi friends! Tuki here coming to you from my perch at the Potter League. I hope you’re enjoying this wonderful spring weather. I love when the staff at the Potter League opens the windows so I can smell that spring air and hear my wild bird cousins chirping!

One of the best things that happen in spring is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30. As you can imagine, it’s a very popular day here at the Potter League! Those of you who have adopted shelter pets know what a wonderful addition they can be to your family. The staff at the Potter League – and all the other shelters and rescue organizations around the country – can help you choose the perfect pet to adopt.

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day started in 1981 when the American Humane Society created Adopt a Dog Month, which took place every October. Soon after, other pet owners decided there should be a day when all shelter pets have a chance to find a furever home – and that’s how Adopt a Shelter Pet Day was born. It’s celebrated every April 30, but the staff at the Potter League say every day is adopt a shelter pet day!

You may think, ‘Why should I adopt a pet from a shelter? Aren’t they there because they have problems?’ The answer to that is, ‘No!’ Most pets end up in a shelter or with a rescue organization through no fault of their own. Many are strays, victims of cruelty, or have been surrendered simply because their family couldn’t care for them anymore. Adopting a shelter pet has many advantages:

1. You are helping a pet in need. It always feels good to help someone, and adopting a shelter pet helps a pet who has been abandoned or given up find the home and love they deserve.

2. Adopting from a shelter will likely cost less. Pets in shelters receive vaccinations, medical care, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and anything else they need before they are adopted. The shelter staff wants to be sure they are healthy enough for adoption. If you have to take care of all those things yourself, it can get very expensive.

3. Pets are good for your health. There has been lots of research that shows pets can help lower your blood pressure as well as improve your emotional and psychological well-being. And they make great company, so you won’t be lonely!

4. It can help fight poor breeding conditions. You’ve probably heard of ‘puppy mills’, which are breeding facilities that care more about making money than they do about the animals. Adopting from a shelter means less support for these kinds of places.

5. And, most important, others will see how awesome your pet is and want to adopt from a shelter, too!

I know that adopting a pet is a big decision and there are things you need to consider.

• First, you need to decide what kind of pet works best for your family. Do you have time to walk and play with a dog every day? Is someone in your household allergic to cats? Would a smaller pet, like a guinea pig, bunny, or mouse, be the best fit?

• Next you need to be sure that you can afford the cost of caring for your pet. Consider all the things that they will need, including food, veterinary visits, toys, grooming, etc. You may want to contact some local veterinarians to find out the costs of caring for a particular type of pet.

• Does your living situation affect the type of pet that you are able to have? Some apartments or condominiums have restrictions on the number and type of pet(s) you can have.

• Do you travel frequently? If so, consider who will care for your pet when you are away and what the costs are for pet-sitting or boarding.

• Do you already have pets? You’ll want to be sure that bringing a new pet into your home is best for your current and new pet. Your veterinarian or the shelter staff can help you answer this question.

If you’ve concluded that adopting a shelter animal truly is a great idea, head on down to the Potter League or your local shelter to meet your new family member. Don’t forget, the staff at Potter League and other shelters have lots of experience with pet adoption, so if you still have questions, they have answers and can help you decide which shelter pet is the best addition to your family.

‘Til next time, folks! Your friend,

Tuki

Mail questions to Tuki, 87 Oliphant Lane Middletown, RI, 02842, or send email to TukiTalk@PotterLeague.org. The Potter League for Animals can be found at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown and online at potterleague.org.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: National Adopt a Pet Day at Potter League happens April 30