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by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know gone are the days when you go to the shelter, pick out a pet and take it home that same day with a mere $10 adoption fee? Oh, how times have changed. Today, shelters require applications, landlord approval with veterinary and personal references, and New York State mandates shelters to check the animal abuse registry, all in an effort to ensure the pet is going to a responsible, caring home. People still expect that same day turnaround and are surprised when the application process is not instant. Adopters must release their veterinary records and it’s always a good idea to give the references a heads up that we will be calling. We have been hung up on more times than not when people think we are soliciting since they are not expecting our call.
Of course, back in the day, applications didn’t exist. Sheltering meant mainly boarding, providing food, water and a clean environment. Today, protocols in shelters include appropriate vaccinations, parasite treatments, testing for common diseases like heartworm, Feline Leukemia and Feline Immune Virus and spaying and neutering prior to adoption. Add to these expenses, any other medications needed during their stay ie. antibiotics and ointments, specific medications to treat thyroid, liver disease etc. and then there are those that are on special diets for urinary and gastrointestinal issues. Plus, the daily expenses of cleaning and two-to-three-time a day feedings, depending on age and health. Rabbits and guinea pigs must have hay around the clock and fresh greens every day along with their pellets and Carefresh bedding. These related expenses add up and over the actual adoption fees and do not include the socialization efforts of the staff. Raising orphaned infant kittens is a 24 hour around the clock task due to the every two to three hour feeding schedule.
The time and effort and love that goes into caring for homeless animals in a shelter facility cannot be calculated. The staff know each pet, their needs and preferences, their activity levels and their history from their surrender forms or from their intake as strays. For shelter staff, they are their day pets, and they treat them as such. And want nothing more than to see them be adopted into the right home for the pet and the potential adopter. Some people fall for a particular color rather than the personality of the pet. Others want a copycat of a previously owned cat or dog. Others lean to a particular breed. Everyone has their own preferences which are respected. However, the Siamese mix may be desirable by its look, but have a temperament not suitable for the family dynamic. The Labrador may be just what you are looking for but lacks leash manners or is not housebroken, both traits you listed on your application as requirements. Your honesty on the application is the only way for us to help you find your new furry or feathered, forever family member which is our goal.
Pet of the Week:
Adoption applications are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
