Are you thinking about getting a pet? Dogs and cats have been a companion to Man since the beginning of history. They have provided us with protection, helped us with hunting, and provided unflinching loyalty and companionship. In today’s world, companionship is the primary need for the average household. Whether you live alone or are married with children, whether you have an active outdoor life or prefer to stay at home, there is a dog or cat to fit your lifestyle. So where do you find such a wonderful companion? Your local humane society is the best source for a good and healthy pet.
What is a humane society? A humane society is a non-profit organization that provides multiple services to domestic animals including animal rescue and care, pet adoptions, and public education. The animals of the humane society are pets that have been neglected or abandoned by the previous owners or from people who give up their pet for various reasons including moving, they can’t afford the pet, the pet grew too big, or because of behavior problems that the owner may not have had the knowledge to correct. The humane society evaluates these various homeless animals and cares for them until a quality home can be found. In order to try to prevent more homeless animals, the humane society is also committed to providing education to the public and to providing low-cost veterinary services such as preventative care and spaying or neutering.
Why get a pet from a humane society? The humane society assesses the health and temperament of all the animals that come their way. They also evaluate the people looking to adopt the pet. This ensures that you get the perfect pet to match your lifestyle. The humane society works to provide pets for experienced pet owners as well as for first-time pet owners. Since some dogs at the humane society are already trained and house-broken by their previous owners, an adult dog would be great for someone who doesn’t want to go through all the training required of a puppy. But if you’d prefer to raise dog from a puppy, the humane society has puppies too. If you are a cat lover you can easily find a grown cat with the perfect personality. Or you can choose a cute little kitten to bond grow with your family. The humane society will also be able to help you find the perfect dog or cat that will be good with your children. And if you have other pets, the humane society will find you a new pet to get along with your already established household. For active outdoor people who want to share their lifestyle with a companion, the humane society will have the perfect dog to join you on your morning run or evening bike ride.
Besides the owner-pet matching advantage, the humane society also provides comparatively low cost spaying or neutering services and preventative veterinary care. All the shots necessary for a dog or cat will already be taken care of or arrangements will be made to get those handled when the pet is old enough. Some humane societies also provide after-adoption services such as continued pet care advise and obedience classes.
The final reason to adopt a pet from the humane society is because the employees and volunteers of the humane society are dedicated animal lovers. Wouldn’t you rather get a pet from someone who is knowledgeable about dogs and cats and who is committed to their well-being? Janet is one such volunteer at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (HSGKS). She has four years of volunteer experience with the humane society and can attest that the employees and volunteers of this organization work from the heart and that a team of skilled veterinarians work to ensure the health of the animals. Janet’s two dogs, Brody and Lily, were adopted from a humane society. Lily was about two months old when she was adopted. She is a cute Australian shepherd while Brody is a chocolate lab who Janet calls a “gentle giant“. He was adopted a year after Lily when he was about two months old. He is now four years old and over 100 pounds. There was an adjustment period between the two dogs due to Lily’s herding instincts but Brody learned to adjust and gladly succumbs to the smaller dog. Janet says that Brody and Lily “are an integral part of my life and I am glad our paths have intertwined; I'd be lost with out them.”
If you are looking for a new pet as wonderful as Brody and Lily, remember that adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment. Adopting from a humane society is not a simple process because the people who work there want to make sure that you are not only ready for that commitment but are also capable of fulfilling it. However, the benefits and rewards of adopting a pet from the humane society far outweigh the lengthy adoption process. For more information on adopting a pet, contact your local humane society. There is a wonderful dog or cat just waiting for you.