This month, Lee County Humane Society will host its annual Adopt-a-Dog program in which potential pooch parents can adopt a canine friend at a discounted price.
Most people jump at the chance to bring home a puppy for their children, but a big hope of the Humane Society is that people will also take this opportunity to adopt older dogs that are just as much in need of loving families.
Stasia Dunlop, director of community outreach for LCHS, said she thinks it would be a good idea for college students to adopt an older dog versus a puppy for various reasons.
"They are instant companions, ready for hiking, riding in the car, walking on leash, fetching, etc," Dunlop said.
"Older dog" doesn't necessarily mean the animal already has one paw in "pet cemetery," it just simply means the dog is not a puppy anymore, Dunlop said.
"They are easy to assess for behavior and temperament, and you also don't have to guess how big they'll grow," Dunlop said.
When considering adopting a shelter dog, students need to keep in mind a few things: first, a student must remember the rules about pets wherever he or she may live.
For example, no dogs are allowed in University dorms with the exception of service animals. Off-campus residents may also want to check their own pet policies.
Dunlop said in order to adopt from LCHS, a copy of a lease with a pets allowed clause and pet deposit receipt must be included in the adoption paperwork.
All types of breeds are available for adoption at the humane society, large and small.
The dogs have been de-wormed, micro-chipped and vaccinated with the exception of the rabies shot, which must be done by a veterinarian.
Adopted dogs receive a free first office visit to certain vets which could make it easier to obtain a rabies vaccine.
All dogs have also been spayed or neutered. Another advantage of adopting older shelter dogs is that they already have an idea of how to behave.
According to srdogs.com, a Web site published by the Senior Dogs Project that Dunlop recommended, "Older dogs have learned what 'no' means and how to leave furniture, carpet, shoes and other 'chewables' alone."
It recommended that any student who adopts a dog should crate the animal to give it its own comfortable, safe place to go during the day. Crating also prevents unwanted behaviors while the student is away at class.
"I just don't know why people would go out and spend hundreds of dollars on a puppy from a breeder when there are a lot more dogs in shelters that would be better pets," said Tori Smith, sophomore in agriculture business.
Smith started a petition at her place of residence to adopt a "house dog" from a shelter. After gaining permission from the landlords, 3-year-old Ella soon became a part of the collective family at the apartments.
Smith encouraged students to think about adoption before shelling out money for pedigrees.
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