Adopting From An Agency Or Shelter...Is There A Health Guarantee?

The answer to this is no.  There is never a health guarantee even if you go to a breeder.  There is absolutely no way to guarantee the health of any animal unless there is genetic testing and even then it's impossible to tell whether or not a recessive gene will rear it's ugly head and bring out the disease or illness.

Take Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) for example.  This is an ultimately deadly disease most common in the Maine Coon, American Shorthair, Devon Rex, Ragdoll, and British Shorthair breeds.  It is basically the heart not properly functioning and its inability to pump blood effectively.  The walls of the heart will also thicken as the disease progresses so symptoms will get progressively worse.  There is no cure but there are medications that your pet can take to potentially prolong their life.  HCM is a genetic disease and can be detected through genetic testing however, your vet may tell you that your pet has a heart murmur.  If you have any of the above mentioned breeds you will want to pursue this further with more testing to make sure it is only a heart murmur and not HCM.

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/cliented/hcm.aspx

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Pages/06_Meurs_final.pdf

Another disease that is not able to be tested for is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).  This too is a deadly disease that can come on very quickly and will take your cat's life.  FIP is caused by a coronavirus very common in cats but doesn't often result in FIP.  This is found often times in multi-cat homes, catteries and shelters.  This does not mean that people should have only one cat at a time or not adopt from shelters or rescue organizations or seek breeding options. 

This cat is exhibiting the sign of enlarged belly consistent with FIP

Is there a vaccine?  Yes, but it's safety and effectiveness aren't able to be verified so I personally would not risk it out of my own paranoia.  FIP is not common and if your pets are healthy then there is no real reason to worry about it but it is worth knowing about.

If your cat all of a sudden stops eating, is very lethargic but his/her belly continues to grow it is time to go to the vet quickly.  Again, THERE IS NO DEFINITIVE TEST FOR FIP.  I personally know of one vet who was set on a FIP diagnosis for a cat and was set on euthanasia but decided to do one more test.  This test found it was NOT FIP and that cat is alive today because of this $140 test.

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/fip.html

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Pages/FIP_Web_2010.pdf

I do not write about these two specific diseases to scare anyone but to bring up the fact that there are no guarantees when you either adopt or buy a pet.  You, as their parent, have to be diligent in their health care and not just keeping them healthy and providing the appropriate care needed but being your pet's advocate.  You are their voice.  Nobody can tell you about genetic disorders if you are adopting and potentially even purchasing from a breeder.  Just due diligence on you and your vet's part will help keep your pet healthy.  It is unfair but it is a fact.  Appliances come with guarantees, not animals.

Please give us your respectful comments and questions.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook!  As always, tell your family and friends about us and thanks for reading.

Do I Really Need To Get Kittens In Pairs?

The answer to this question is only if you want a well socialized adult cat.  Kittens need each other to learn how to be well rounded cats.  This can only be taught by being with other kittens or other cats.  They need the mental, social and emotional stimulation that they can only give each other.  If you think about it we can't learn how to meow from them anymore than we can teach them the English language.  We need other humans like they need other cats.  It just makes common sense. 

http://www.goathouserefuge.org/two-kittens-are-easier-than-one/

http://www.mchumane.org/documents/kittencare.pdf

The above links have some very good insight into kittens.  They are work and they are very, very, very busy.  They also, like human children, haven't developed their adult personalities yet so just because they are sweet and snuggly now doesn't mean they will be as adults. 

Having two kittens is actually easier than having one believe it or not.  Two kittens will keep each other occupied and they will play with each other instead of bugging you all the time wanting to play!  They will be tons of entertainment and will keep you laughing. 

These pictures are very cute and show part of what playing is for kittens.  If you only have one then this chewing and wrestling will happen on you instead of an appropriate playmate.  Yes, you can show them a toy instead of you, but they are very social beings most of the time and will keep coming back to you for interaction. 

They will pounce, jump and stalk one another as if they are prey which is very, very normal.  If you have just one then they will do this with you!  They may do this even if they do have a playmate, but redirecting them is easier if there is something else to focus their attention like another moving target that is their size and looks like them. 

Another plus is when you are away from home, ex. at work, then they will have each other to snuggle with and play with so they are not bored.  A bored kitten is like a bored puppy...destructive.  They do not have the eduction yet to know right from wrong but if they have an appropriate playmate and appropriate toys then the likelihood of them getting into trouble is much lower.

Kittens are cute but if you want a pet whose personality is already developed then you might want to consider an adult for many reasons but 1) you know what you're getting personality wise, and 2) the chances of him/her doing well alone (if you only want one) are higher. 

If you aren't sure what you want, then you might want to consider fostering until you know for sure.  Not only does it save a life, it gives you a chance to spend time with an animal and give it a good home until the right family comes a long.  It is definitely rewarding.  Check with your local rescue organizations or shelters for more information.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope this has given you some insight.  Tell your family and friends about us and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed please let us know.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Flipbook!  Again, thanks for reading.

Kitten Season Is Here In Full Force...So What Does That Mean For Us?

So people are telling you that it's "kitten season".  What is that exactly?  Well about twice a year rescues and shelters are inundated with kittens and pregnant cats because unaltered cats are mating and having babies.  Seems pretty benign doesn't it, but if you think that just two cats (one male and one female) can have over 100,000 cats in a 7 year period then it might not seem so benign.  Then think that those 100,000 cats are having over 100,000 kittens who are in turn having over 100,000 kittens in 7 year periods of time.  That's a lot of cats that need homes, are going to shelters or rescues, are left outside to fend for themselves and potentially being abused or killed, or being euthanized in shelters to make room for the other animals being dropped off because the people don't know what else to do with them.

So what can we as humans do?  Well the best thing to do is alter your cats (spay/neuter).  This does a couple of things for the cat.  It not only prevents more babies that nobody has room for but it also exponentially lowers the possibility of cancer.  I know it sounds strange but it is true.  I have heard a number of vets tell me this very thing.  Here's a link from the ASPCA verifying this information:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/spay-neuter.aspx

Another things we humans can do is adopt from the shelters and rescue organizations rather than buy from breeders.  I'm not saying not to buy from breeders at all; however, there are a lot of unsavory breeders out there so if you do get your pet from a breeder please do your homework and don't just go for the cheapest price because there is a reason for the low price more than likely.  Even when adopting you should do your homework prior to taking your pet home so it really is no different.

If there are stray cats in your area then there are organizations who will manage the "colony" or will work with you if you are willing to feed the cats in order to spay/neuter the animals to keep the population manageable and show you how to make shelters, etc.  It's not as hard as you might think.  Here is a link to a great resource:

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_MANAGING_A_FERAL_CAT_COLONY

This is one type of feeding station for a feral cat colony.

We will probably never stop the cycle but that is what rescue people work towards.  What we humans can do to help is to spay and neuter the ones that are there and not only will it help slow the cycle but it will help the animals' health as well which is always a good thing. 

For those of you who haven't spayed or neutered your personal cats, talk to your vet about the consequences about that medically.  There are more pros than cons for having the surgery done and there are lots of low cost options around as well.  I'm sure your vet or local shelter can help you find one that is available to you.

Kittens are cute but they grow up and become adults.  Lets start looking at and talking about responsible pet ownership.  Educate the people around you because the people who read this blog and other blogs are already responsible pet owners.

As always, we welcome questions, comments and any topic you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks so much for reading.

What Happens When I Get An Animal From A Shelter?

When people adopt an animal from a shelter most of the time your adoption fee will cover some initial vaccines and a spay/neuter surgery depending on the shelter you adopt from, but sometimes that is not the case.  Always make sure you know what is covered by your adoption fee before leaving with your new pet.  Nevertheless, as a new pet parent an initial vet visit should be one of the first things you do to establish a baseline evaluation and so your vet can meet your new wonderful pet.

Also, it is important to note that there are a lot of 'cooties' in shelters so your new pet may come down with a cold after you get him/her home.  This is not uncommon.  The stress of being in the shelter and then moving to a new home will lower your pet's immune system making him/her more susceptible to illness.  You may hear your vet say something like URI or upper respiratory infection.  This is nothing more than a cold that antibiotics will take care of successfully.

If you adopt a dog, you may hear things like kennel cough and distemper from people.  Those are two very good reasons to take your dog to the vet soon after adoption but no reason to panic.  Most shelters will vaccinate against these two things which protects the dogs against these two things.  Kennel cough is very contagious, however, which is why it is very important for shelters to not only do an exam in addition to vaccines to ensure dogs do not contract this viral and bacterial disease.  Antibiotics will treat the bacterial part of kennel cough but NOT the viral.

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_dg_canine_tracheobronchitis#.UW6inaASRsg

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/kennel_cough.html

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/dogdiseasesconditions/a/CW-Distemper.htm

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/distemper-symptoms-treatments-dogs

There are things you can do to help keep your pet as healthy as possible to help prevent illnesses in the first place.  L-Lysine for cats is a great way to help their immune system.  It's a human amino acid that stops the replication of viruses and allows their immune system fight off any viruses that may be trying to rear it's ugly head.

Some natural options for your dog are Echinacea and Dandelion.  The Echinacea will help the immune system much like the L-Lysine and the Dandelion will help with the liver and digestive health.  I do use the L-Lysine with my personal cats and have used it with former foster cats.  I have found it to be extremely effective in helping to prevent illness and the ones who were sick when I got them have gotten over their illness quicker.

http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/ailment/cats-dogs-viral-infection-remedies.html

I hope I have given you some information you can take home to your pets and you will use or tell your family and friends about.  It is our goal to be as informative as possible about topics you want to know about so if you have something you'd like to know more information about please send us a note.

As always we welcome any and all respectful comments and questions.  Don't forget to follow us from this page on Facebook and Twitter.  Tell your family and friends about us and once again, thanks for reading!

How To Introduce A New Cat To Your Current Cat...Is It Really That Hard?

So you've got a new cat...congratulations!  So how do you introduce him/her to your current cat?  Will they just work it out?  Sometimes they will and sometimes they won't.  It is important that a slow introduction be done and to work on their time frame and not yours. 

A slow introduction means they are separated for a while and the new cat has a space of their own to get used to the new sights, sounds, smells, etc. as well as the new friend on the other side of the door.  It's important that the new cat have a space of their own because more than likely he/she will be nervous and may hide for a little while.  That is okay for them to do because they are just doing what makes them feel safe.  It's important to establish a routine and to spend time with them in the room regardless of whether they come out to see you or not.  Eventually they will come out, I promise.

At some point the current cat will be interested in the new cat and there will be sniffing, pawing and probably some hissing under the door.  This is very normal behavior.  They are starting to establish the heirarchy in the household.  Cats are territorial animals so they have to figure out who is in charge, but this can be done slowly.  Here are some links to some great information from not only the Humane Society but Jackson Galaxy as well.

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/introducing_new_cat.html

So what do you need in order to set up the initial safe place for the new cat?  You'll need a litter box, food and water dishes, a scratching post, and what I call a 'hidey hole' which is simply a small space for them to hide such as a box with a hole cut in it or a cubbie from a pet store.  If you want to get them a bed in case they want to sleep in it that is fine but depending on the cat it may be a while before that happens. 

The most important thing to do during this process is listen to the cats and what they want.  For instance, if you crack the door so they can see each other and there is swatting and hissing then they are not ready.  You can also use food as a way to teach them when they see the other cat they get food which is good so the other cat must be good.  Whatever is of high value to the cats is what you will use to teach them the other cat is good.

This is what you want to see when they meet instead of hissing and swatting

A good meeting may involve a hiss or two and then ignoring the other cat.  It may involve what you see in the picture above or they may rub up against each other.  It just depends on the cats.  The timeframe also depends on the cats.

I have friends who have 6 cats and every single one of them walked into the house and within 24 hours they were integrated.  This is highly unusual and does not normally happen with new cats. 

In my experience, it takes about a week to a month for the cats to start accepting each other.  Depending on the background of the cat it can take longer, however.  I have fostered cats that never integrated and went to homes with no other cats and they are extremely happy.

All of this being said, segregation is a good thing at first and let them slowly get used to each other.  It will happen, it just takes time.  If you are patient with them they will reward you with a lifetime of love and companionship.

As always, we  welcome comments and questions and any topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Please do not forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading.

Shelters vs. Rescue Organizations: What's The Difference?

I'd like to discuss today the differences between shelters and rescue organizations because I've had a lot of people over my years of doing rescue be confused and ask questions about this very topic.  It can be very confusing when several places are supposedly doing the same thing.

Here's the difference:  most shelters do euthanize animals on at minimum a weekly basis while rescue organizations do not.  A local organization in my area has said they are no kill, but this has only served to confuse people because they think the shelter is no kill when in fact it's the adoption center that is no kill.  The shelter euthanizes animals on a regular basis.

Shelters do what they can to find homes for the animals brought to them but the reality is not every animal can be saved and there just isn't enough money, manpower or space to help all the animals that are in need.  I would love to say there is, but that's not reality.  The ultimate reality is these animals are in the cages like you see below, they get upper respiratory infections (most of them, especially the babies) and once they do they are euthanized because there isn't enough money to care for them.

Rescue organizations do not have enough of those things either (money, manpower or space) but most have a cap on the number of animals they bring in so they can wait until the right home for their animals is found.  Then they can take in more.  Pleas for help are constantly coming in so people do not have to take their animal to the shelter but another reality is there aren't enough foster homes for these animals.

Ok, so to answer the question "what's the difference?"  There ultimately is no difference except for grant money and the people backing the organization.  They are all working toward the same goal...the welfare of the animals and finding them new homes.

So the bigger question is what can you do to help?  If you have room for one animal to foster in your home, if you can volunteer your time, if you can donate some of your money then it will help.  Here are some rescue organizations in the Raleigh, NC, USA area that would be very glad to have you help out with anything you are able:

www.calvinspaws.org
www.bfpa.org
www.safehavenforcats.org
http://www.secondchancenc.org/
http://www.snowflakerescue.org/

These are just a few of the very many in the area.  Of course there are also breed specific groups as well if that is your interest for both dogs and cats.  Most of the groups I listed above have dogs and cats so if you want to foster or sponsor an animal just let them know.

Our economy is so tough right now and everyone is feeling the tightening of the belt, so to speak, and many of our animals are being surrendered because of finances.  Please search for groups to see if they can help out or if there are avenues so you can keep your animal with you so they aren't euthanized.  If it's not possible, then please consider fostering while the group is looking for a home for your pet.  That way there are few moves as possible which creates stress on the animal and that can create medical issues.

As always, we welcome comments, questions and any topics you'd like to see discussed here.  Our goal is to provide you with the information you seek.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading.

What Breed Is Right For Me?

So you've come to the point in your life where you want a pet.  That's great!  Cat or dog?  Male or female?  What age?  What breed?  So many things to think about before adopting.  These are all great things to think about but ultimately researching the breed in particular is what is more important because for the most part each cat will have the general personality of the breed.  However, there are exceptions to every rule so it is also important to visit with the particular cat as well to determine personality.  Remember, baby animals do not develop their personalities until they are a little older so at 2-3 months old you have no idea what their personality is going to be like at 6-8 months old and even older.

If you are wanting a laid back cat that loves their people and likes to snuggle and isn't much of a climber then an Abyssinian is probably not your cat because they love to climb and are extremely playful.  If you think you want a dog but aren't sure about the responsibility then maybe a Maine Coon is good for you because they are known as dogs in cat suits.  Leash training them is fairly easy and they are laid back cats but can get on the larger side.

Here are a couple of good resources for cat breeds and this will give you insight into their personality, intelligence (believe me that's important), playfulness, grooming requirements, etc.

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/catselectorindex.do

http://simplycatbreeds.org/

Here are the dogs:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm

Finding the right animal for your family, lifestyle, and/or home is very important because if you get the wrong one it can go very badly and the animal can end up at the shelter which always a bad ending for the animal.

Just keep in mind if you are not an active person then most dogs probably are not for you.  If you are an active runner and like being outside then a very large, 'fluffy', dog is not for you.  Just because it's a pretty animal doesn't mean he/she is right for you.

In my experience, the most loving and affectionate cats are Ragdolls/Ragamuffins.  They are great family cats and are good with kids.  They tend to bond with one person, though.  Maine Coons can be very affectionate as well but are more aloof.  They have a small voice for their large bodies which is entertaining to me.  They can growl a little when they are talking but are in general very gentle creatures.  They are the gentle giants of the cat world.

This is a baby Maine Coon...cute!

In my opinion, though, the most appreciative animals are rescued animals.  Most of them have had a hard life or have been given up by their families and simply want a good home to live out their days and have a loving family to love on and give all their attention to.  Whether you find an animal on the street and take it in or go to the shelter and save a life they will be so appreciative and will love you for the rest of their lives.

I hope this has helped you in trying to figure out where to start in your search for the right pet for your family. 

As always, we welcome any comments and questions and if you have a topic you'd like to see discussed here please let us know.  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and please tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks so much for reading!

What Is It Like To Have A Big Dog And What Should You Expect?

I have to say I never thought I would ever be owned by a large breed dog.  I love them and think they are great dogs but didn't ever think one would be in my life.  So what is it like to be owned by one of these gentle giants?  What should you expect?  There are a lot of pros and some cons as with anything.

First of all these dogs are the sweetest dogs and are some of the most gentle animals on earth.  They are excellent with children and make wonderful family dogs.  They ironically do not take up as much room as you might think but they do eat on average 6 cups of food per day.  They love human attention and are loyal to their family pack.  As with any dog, though, they should be well socialized so they are good with other dogs minimally. 

Here's some information on some various large breeds:
http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/great-dane

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/newfoundland

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/boxer

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/great-pyrenees

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/rottweiler

I put some of these links here because research of the breed you think you want is extremely important because just because a dog is cute doesn't mean the dog is good for your family.  For instance, smaller dogs may or may not be best for your family depending on the personality of the individual dog.  In my experience, small dogs such as chihuahuas, tend to be a little more snippy than other dogs and may not be the best around small children depending on the particular dog.  A lot of people are also afraid of rottweilers and they are honestly a wonderful family dog and are fantastic with children.  I was owned by a wonderful rottweilter for a few years (I got her when she was an adult) and we used to visit the children's playground and she would let the kids do whatever they wanted to her.  They are loyal dogs but definitely need training and are not for first time dog owners.

Some things to be prepared for prior to being owned by a large breed dog is the food bill (like I said...6 cups a day depending on the size of the dog), monthly heartworm and flea/tick costs, the loss of part of your couch, some drool (depending on gender and breed), and a great deal of love in return for just arriving home from work or school.  The larger breed dogs do not live the same life span as the small dogs which is honestly not fair but the love they give while they are with you is two-fold.

This is my Great Dane Lucien.  He's 4 years old.

Lucien loves to play with his humans, is great with dogs and cats, and is very loyal and protective.  However, if you call his name and give him a treat he will be your friend forever and show you where the good stuff is in the house.  Great Danes tend to be goofy dogs and will definitely keep you smiling and laughing. 

All of this being said, please research the breed of dog before you adopt or see a breeder.  There are so many misconceptions about a lot of breeds (ex. rottweilers, German Shepherds, "pitt bull") and the fact is any dog can bite or snap but if raised correctly and trained properly then they will be fine.  It is all about the owners and how the dog is trained and how kids behave around the dog, etc.  There are exceptions to every rule, however.  The key is personality and spending time with the dog prior to adoption.

As always, if you have any comments or questions feel free to let us know.  If you want to see a topic discussed please let us know and we will make it happen.  Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!  Thanks for reading!

Feline Herpes...What Is It and Can I Get It?

This is an extremely common question and the answer to the second part is no, you cannot catch feline herpes.  The answer to the first part, "what is it", is a bit more in depth but I will try to give some insight.  The most basic answer to this question is it's a virus much like a cold which 99% of cats are exposed to very likely early in their lives.  While the exposure may not lead to any outbreaks the virus will lay dormant and stress will lower the immune system and can lead to an outbreak.

For instance, if you move to a new home and all of a sudden your cat starts sneezing a lot and his/her eyes are red and watery then it is likely he/she has an outbreak of the feline herpes virus.  The very long, complicated name for this is feline viral rhinopneumonitis (FVR), rhinotracheitis virus and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) and can lead to upper respiratory infections, but not always.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-herpes.aspx    

The kitty to the right here appears to have an upper respiratory infection which is a bacterial infection which is what antibiotics will treat.  Vets often given antibiotics in order to ward off any bacterial infections that may be lurking behind the herpes virus itself.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just keep in mind that if your kitty is on antibiotics for a number of times then he/she will build up an immunity to them and over time they will not work for any infection he/she may have and that is definitely a bad thing.

Giving L-Lysine every day to your kitten/cat can help ward off any viruses that may be laying dormant in their system.  L-Lysine is an amino acid that help stops the replication of viruses which allows their immune systems to fight off whatever is holding them down.  Several rescue organizations give it to their wards to help with the stress of coming into a new place, getting used to a new way of life, new kitties, puppies, etc.  It is available at any store you can get vitamins and is available in capsules so it can be pulled apart and the powder can be put on their food. 

Here is a picture of swollen conjunctiva in a cat which is pretty indicative of feline herpes virus.  It looks really painful and while none of them have ever told me it is I can only imagine it does hurt and it appears to also itch. 

I know this seems a little graphic, but I really wanted you as pet owners to know what to look for with this virus. 

Also, please know that it is really is not an emergency vet visit either.  If you'd like your vet to see your pet that is fine, however, giving him/her Lysine for a week or so to see if it helps and a nice quiet environment will more than likely help if there is no color to the discharge.  If you think to when you go to the doctor, don't they ask if there is color to the discharge?  That's because they want to know if there is bacteria or not.  Clear discharge means no bacteria.  If your pet doesn't appear to be doing better with Lysine twice a day and a calm quiet environment in a few days then you can call your vet.  I do NOT advocate not calling your vet by any means whatsoever.

If you'd like an eye professional to take a look at your pet that is wonderful too.  Those experts can definitely tell you if there is any damage to your pet's eye or not.  If you are in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I'd like to recommend Dr. English as he is one of the best.  Check out his website:

http://aecassociates.com/

All of his colleagues are wonderful and extremely knowledgeable so if you take your pet to any of them you will not be sorry and will get the best care available.

I know sometimes things with our pets seem emergent (I know they do with my own personal ones sometimes) but if we take the time to educate ourselves a little bit prior to anything happening then maybe things won't seem so bad at the time.

As always, we welcome your comments, questions and any topics at all you'd like to see discussed here.  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to tell your friends and family about us!

Adoption...Is It Really Better Than Buying?

Working with a rescue organization can be very taxing and very rewarding at the same time.  It takes a lot of time, energy, money (personal and organization) and emotions.  It is definitely not for everyone.  However, when you see an animal that has been thrown away by its former owners get a new home where you know they will be spoiled forever it is the best feeling in the world.  So my question to everyone is...do you think adopting a pet is better than buying from a breeder?

Well today is going to be a personal opinion type of day so here goes.  I personally do not think one is better than the other.  My friend Thor (whom you have already read about) is from a breeder and has arthritis, allergies, has had two elbow surgeries, and now we found out he has Wobbler's Disease (a cervical or neck spine issue where the vertebrae compress on the spinal cord and cause pain and eventually paralysis-the only cure is surgery).  His sister Megan (from a different breeder and litter) who is 19 weeks old hasn't shown any signs of any issues whatsoever.  Both from breeders. 

Rescued animals can have issues just like pure bred animals and I personally just believe it is genetics and what the animal has been through that creates who they are medically.  I've seen cats who were living outside, eating who only knows what, come into the rescue group and come to find out they have allergies to the commercial cat food. 

"Pitt Bulls" were originally used for nannies

This is actually what "Pitt Bulls" were bred for

Does either animal make a better pet?  Absolutely not.  It completely depends on the temperament of the animal.  I believe rescue animals appreciate the love, attention and a good home much more than those from breeders but that does not make them better pets.

What do you look for if you are adopting from a rescue organization?  Most importantly what medical care the fee covers.  I say this because if the fee doesn't cover at least 1 or 2 (depending on the age) distemper (FVRCP for cats) , a deworming, a FIV and Feline Leukemia or HW (heartworm) test depending on whether it's a dog or cat, flea treatment, heartworm prevent for dogs, rabies, spay/neuter and a microchip then you should really look elsewhere.  No matter whether you are looking for a dog or cat there are certain things that are a minimum for rescue groups to take care of medically and in my opinion that is really the very basic and should be done.

Another thing you should look at is whether or not the group has a facility where the cats/dogs are held or if they are in foster homes.  Dogs should really be in a foster home so the socialization is better.  Cats can be in either but, in my opinion, a foster home is so much better because it gives the animal the chance to learn how to behave in a home with a family and get used to certain things like family life, kids, dogs, other types of pets, etc.

However, breeders have their animals in a home environment more than likely (if they don't I would personally look elsewhere) so that is not an issue for these animals.  There should also be a minimum amount of medical care done on these animals as well and especially for large breed dogs and cats such as maine coons a cardiac check should be part of that process.  The breeder should be ready and willing to give you the information on this as well.  If they are not then be very skeptical and strongly consider going elsewhere.

Some people use pure bred animals as a status symbol and enjoy telling people they have a pure bred animal.  That is not what a pet is supposed to be so if that is what you want the pet for then I'd rather you not get one at all. 

So what should you do?  Consider adopting first if at all possible.  Thousands of animals are euthanized over North Carolina weekly and millions all over the United States because there are too many in the shelters.  They have to make room for the new ones being dropped off so they have to euthanize the ones that don't get adopted the week before.  Some of the shelters do not use very humane ways of euthanizing animals and will use a gas chamber where they pile in a bunch of animals and gas them to death.   Does that remind you of the Germans during Hitler's reign?  It's cold, harsh and not fun to think about but it's the truth.

If you have to have a pure bred animal then do your research first to make sure you understand the breed.  For instance, if you want a rottweiler then you should know they are stubborn, hard headed, solid muscle and should start training at a very early age so you don't have an unruly rottie on your hands.  Unruly rottweilers are dangerous and will probably end up in a shelter and euthanized.  Socialization is important for all dogs and other animals but especially breeds people tend to be afraid of and not understand like Rottweilers and Pitt Bulls (althought that name is a culmination of several different breeds in and of itself).  Also, regardless of the breed you choose the dogs should be temperament tested.

I hope I have given you something to think about whether you adopt or buy and as always please let us know if you have any questions, comments, concerns.  Also, if you want a topic discussed please send it to us and we will definitely get it on the blog. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and tell your family and friends about us!

Fostering...How Do You Get Started and Who To Foster For?

Are you thinking about a new pet but not sure about the commitment?  What about fostering?  There are a lot of organizations in the area who are full to the brim with cats and dogs who need foster homes.  There are animals taken to the shelters every day that need either a foster home or adoptive home.

So what is involved in fostering?  Do you have to adopt the animal?  Well the involvement depends on the group and you.  Some groups pay for food and litter as well as vet care (for cats) and some do not.  Some groups will pay for training for dogs and some will not.  It just depends on funding and whether the group has a trainer involved or not.  As far as adopting the animal goes, you should never be required to adopt an animal as as foster parent.  If that is part of the requirement you should not foster for that particular group.

Fostering can be very emotionally demanding and very emotionally draining because the animals you are fostering often have emotional issues from being surrendered.  They are confused, scared and do not know what is going on.  They have to learn they are safe and may have been abused so they have to overcome the mental issues from that as well.  Some animals never overcome the demons from abuse depending on the level of abuse.  The type of abuse may have to be taken into consideration as well.  For instance, if a cat was used as bait for a dog fighting ring he/she may be afraid of dogs and may not be but that will be very easy to tell. 

This is a scared cat that will probably fight back

Medications may also be involved in fostering as well so it may be necessary for you to administer them for a cold or other infection if they have had an injury or ear issues, etc.  Like humans, though, it's important to follow the vet's directions and give the medications as directed.

Fostering is also extremely rewarding, though.  When a family finds your foster is the right one for their family and takes them home and they have already fallen in love with their new pet, you have a sense of pride and sadness at the same time.  Pride comes from knowing where they came from when you first got them and where they are now and the sadness comes from watching them 'leave the nest' so to speak.  I always ask for pictures and send follow up emails checking in to make sure things are going well.  It's very important to do that so the people do not feel they are alone and just got dumped with a new animal and they do not have any support if something goes wrong.

Here is more information about fostering:

http://fosterdogs.com/getting-involved.html

http://matadornetwork.com/change/beginnersguide-to-fosteirng-animals/

www.calvinspaws.org

http://www.wakegov.com/pets/foster/Pages/default.aspx

For those in the Raleigh, NC, USA area I've included two good groups to contact about fostering.  Anyone interested in those groups can either contact them directly or send me a note and I will help you get involved.  There are many ways to volunteer your time besides fostering as well, but that is the biggest need.

Please considering fostering a homeless animal or volunteering with your local rescue organization or shelter.  As always, we welcome your comments, questions, and/or concerns regarding any of our posts and if you would like to see a topic discussed please let us know.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and tell your family and friends about us!