The crazy cat lady speaks
I volunteer with a local pet rescue and the stories are just ridiculous. A lot of people think that they are ready to be pet owners and they aren't. So please read on for my little rant and feel free to pass it along.
- Cats and dogs are not furry humans. They have their own needs that you must respect.
- They do not speak English, nor are they mind readers.
- Do NOT declaw!!! It is inhumane and painful. Your furniture is not so important that your cat must suffer. Get a scratching post. If your cat claws, then there are plenty of good resources to help you change that behavior.
- If you need an exterminator, then get an exterminator. Not a cat.
- If you do not have a doggie door, go home during the day to walk your dog. Or, be okay with the poop and pee when you get home.
- If you are not home during the day, consider a cat or another pet instead of a dog.
- Take your pet to the vet.
- Your pet will have accidents. If the thought of puke, poop or pee on your floor or furniture freaks you out, then get a fish. (Same rule applies for kids)
- READ and RESEARCH about being a pet owner. Know what you are getting into. Pet ownership is time consuming and can be expensive. If you do not have the time, money, and dedication, then do not become a pet owner.
- If you go to the shelter or rescue (please do!), you will be saving a life. However you will likely adopt an animal that has been through a lot of change and there will be an adjustment period. There are plenty of great resources to read before you bring home your new addition. Educate yourself before adopting or before giving up on your pet.
- Let your dog inside. Dogs are not meant to be outside 24/7, especially given that it may be cold, rainy, hot, windy, etc on any given day.
- If you have an outdoor cat, consider making it an indoor cat for its health and well-being. Indoor cats are less likely to suffer from parasites, predators, accidents, etc. They also live longer. If your cat is outdoors, then make sure it is fully vaccinated and goes to the vet regularly.
- Pets and unsupervised young kids do not mix. If you have a pet and a kid, watch them. Do not get mad at the pet when the kid pulls its ears/tail/etc and it bites/scratches the kid. You'd get mad if someone hurt you too, wouldn't you? And a pet can't tell them to bug off.
- Look at things from your pet's perspective.
- Love them a lot. :-)
2 Comments:
See, now you're making me feel bad. My mom had my cat declawed years ago. She was my cat, but I had to move in with my parents for a while, and my mom has lots of expensive antique furniture. So it was either declaw or be homeless. It's never quite sat well with me, and I wouldn't do it to any future cats.
Although Teenie has always seemed fine with it. She'll bitchslap the hell out of our other cats, and the way that they run from her, I don't think they know she has no claws. :-)
Also, I 100% back you up that an exterminator is a far less gross way to deal with pests. We found a pair of mouse legs at the top of the stairs last week. Nothing else, just the feet. (Shudder.) I made Dave clean it up.
Mouse legs??? Oh my GAWD. I would not be able to deal.
We have made a fabulous discovery now that the windows are open. Casper has a fabulous jump. As in LeBron Casper here. He caught a fly mid-air the other day. So I might have to rethink that whole exterminator thing. :-)
Post a Comment
<< Home