Considerations Before Adopting

What are the responsibilities to consider before adopting a pet?

1. Become knowledgeable about pet care, training, health and behavior issues.

2. Choose the pet that’s right for you.

• Breed


• Age of pet


• Size at adulthood


• Temperament/Personality


• Behavior problems


• Activity level


• Shedding


• Grooming requirements

3. Consider if you are right for a pet.

• Are you willing to commit the next 10-20 years to the care of a pet?


• Are you home during the day to housetrain a puppy?


• Are you emotionally equipped to deal with the behavior of puppies, kittens or very high-strung adults?


• Are you able/willing to commit at least 30 to 60 minutes a day to interact with your pet?


• Is your living space adequate to accommodate the size pet you want?


• Does your lifestyle match your pet’s activity level?


• Are you financially able to provide the care necessary for a pet throughout its lifetime, up to $1000 or more each year including:

Annual vet visits
Emergency medical care
Grooming
Obedience training
Food
Toys
Shelter

Information from the Circle of Friends Humane Society in Grand Forks.

Sierra

Sierra is the current "featured pet" at the Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot. She's a medium-sized, adult female brown tabby.



Here's her bio:

Hey there, my name is Sierra! I am a beautiful good who loves attention. I came in as a stray so they don't know too much about my background. I am currently a resident of Kitty City though and love being in there to roam around freely. I am also fully litter box trained. I am a laid back feline with a friendly personality. If I might sound like I'm the kitty you've been looking for, please stop in and visit with me. I'm sure you'll fall in love!

For more information about Sierra contact the Souris Valley Animal Shelter. Phone: 701-839-6116; Email: svasmanager@srt.com; Mailing address: 1935 - 20th Ave SE Minot, ND 58701.

Otto the Rabbit

From Adopt-A-Pet of Fargo-Moorhead: Otto is a male Mix-Breed, approximately 1 year, neutered. I believe he is part Lop however his ears do not completely lop over. He is all white with red eyes. He loves attention and being petted but likes to get out and run and explore. For more information contact Adopt-A-Pet on their cat & rabbit line: 701-232-5856.

If you are interested in Otto or another rabbit as a pet, read this first:

While many think of rabbits as children's pets, more and more adult homes are discovering rabbits to be the perfect fit. Most active at dusk and dawn, they are on the same schedule as many working households. And as quiet, graceful beings, they make exceptional neighbors in thin walled apartments and townhouses. The domestic rabbit is a peaceful soul with a mischievous sense of fun. They bound and leap and hop about exploring everything in their environment. Weighing anywhere from 2 - 20 pounds, rabbits can be trained to use a litter box and respond to their name. In order to fully enjoy their lighthearted personalities, daily freedom to explore rabbit-proofed areas of the home and to snuggle with their human family is strongly recommended.

To read more about rabbits, including common myths Adopt-A-Pet's site CLICK HERE.

Cold Weather...

It's that time again! Make sure your pets are kept safe and warm during the winter season.

This is an article from the CDHS website. I like to post it every winter as a reminder:

Cold Weather Critter Care

It's winter... ice, snow and freezing cold temperatures. Now's the time to snuggle up in front of a fireplace with a warm kitty on your lap or a puppy at your feet. But before you settle down to your long winter's nap, take some time to learn how to keep those animals as warm and comfortable as you are.

Cold weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. Sometimes people forget that their pets are just as accustomed to the warm shelter of the indoors as they are. Some people will leave their animals outside for extended periods of time, thinking that all animals are adapted to live outdoors. This can put their pets in danger of serious illness.

To read the rest of the article CLICK HERE.

(Image borrowed from dog-sweaters.blogspot.com)

Volunteer Coordinator Needed

The Central Dakota Human Society in Mandan is searching for a volunteer coordinator. From their site:

WANTED: Volunteer Coordinator
CDHS has decided to actively search for a volunteer coordinator. Duties would include organizing, updating and maintaining current database of volunteers. CDHS would call on individuals for items ranging from filling different volunteer needs at events, baking, picking up supplies, yard work, lawn mowing, transporting animals, foster care, etc. If you are interested, please contact Sue at CDHS.

Contact Information:

Phone: 701-667-2020

Email: cdhs@btinet.net

Scooter in Williston

This is Scooter. He's living at the MonDak Humane Society in Williston. About Scooter: Scooter was skin and bones when found, but is now on his way back to normal thanks to some loving people. Now he needs to find a loving permanent home. He knows how to sit and lie down when told. He's a sweet, loving dog!

MonDak HS thinks his age is between 6 months-1 year. He's medium in size.

The first thing that got my attention when I saw Scooter was his soulful eyes.

For more information about Scooter check out MonDak Humane Society's web site; call 701-577-PETS; email: pets@mondakhumanesociety.org.

Bela in GF

Meet Bela and a couple of his littermates. They are available for adoption at the humane society in Grand Forks.

About Bela:
Bela and his littermates are the definition of cute! Bela is an 8 week old male kitten. He is here at the shelter along with his littermates: Candy Corn, Crow, Boris, Skully and Goblin. Bella is the white kitten with tiger markings.

For more information about Bela check out the Circle of Friends Humane Society; phone: 701-775-3732; email: gfhumane@yahoo.com.