Hundreds of thousands of pets are abandoned year after year. To this shameful number, we must add the thousands that will never be adopted and that cause the number of animals housed in animal protection centers to increase exponentially.
One of the ways to fight against the scourge of abandonment is the sterilization of pets not dedicated to professional breeding. Another would be encouraging adoption versus purchase . But we cannot forget the importance of avoiding the uninformed and compulsive acquisition that in most cases ends with the abandonment of the animal in question.
Many dogs are abandoned in the first twelve months of being part of a family: “I don’t have time”, “I’ve separated”, “he’s sick and I can’t take care of him”, “we took him for my son, who said that he was going to take care of everything, but he no longer pays attention to him and I cannot/want to take care of it”…
Please, before incorporating any LIVING BEING into our lives, we must bear in mind that we must provide it with economic, space, time, education, exercise and emotional needs. The decision to take care of, for example, a dog, is voluntary. An animal with which we acquire the commitment to be responsible for it and ensure its physical and emotional well-being for the rest of its life.
In most protection entities, there are protocols to give up the animals that depend on them. A questionnaire, interviews, home visits, income verification… There are people who come to think that they are “excessive”, but it is the only way to make sure that future adopters are clear about the commitment they are making with the animal and that, perhaps due to not having thought about it much or due to misinformation, have not been previously considered.
1- Are all the members of the family unit in agreement?
As much as your child promises “that he will take care of it” or that you yourself are the one who swears and perjures that you will take care of everything and that the rest of the family will not have to do anything, do not acquire any living being without the consent of all members living in the household.
A dog has to be one more in our family for its correct emotional development. Locking him up in the patio, terrace or in any room in the home so that he does not disturb the humans with whom he shares a home is not an option (it would even be abuse ).
You must share our space and you will not only do it with the member of the household convinced of having a dog, they will also do it with the one or those who did not agree and, sooner or later, it may be cause for conflict.
2- Can I keep it?
Quality food, vaccinations and deworming , identification, periodic veterinary check-ups, a good restraint system for walks, a rest area, insurance (mandatory for some but more than convenient for all)… Having a dog entails an economic effort basic, maintenance, but we cannot forget the possible setbacks that may arise, such as getting sick or having an accident, and ending with an unexpected bill that we cannot pay.
3- Can I dedicate the time you need?
To be “man’s best friend”, a dog needs our time. Beyond taking him out for a walk to relieve himself, the time to go outside is a time for socializing and satisfying some natural behaviors. We cannot limit ourselves to three “quick” outings so that he can evacuate, let him play with other dogs in the park, make croquettes on the lawn, splash around in the mud and smell/mark all the urine he finds.
Even if it’s cold, even if our heads ache, even if it rains, even if we’re late for work… We must dedicate time to relaxing with our dog daily.
4- What is my lifestyle?
From how many hours you spend away for work, if you like to go hiking on weekends, if you like to have social gatherings at home, how many times do you travel for professional and personal reasons, if you are single or have children…
Our lifestyle is what it is. And, as much as you think that you can change it by having a dog, it is something that does not usually have a good ending either… Before welcoming one into your home, think about what your life is like now and, also, how it will initially be in the future . next 10-15 years.
5- Do I have other animals at home?
Another typical mistake that ends with a failed incorporation of the dog into a family is when the family already has another pet and has not thought about whether it will adapt to living with another being. Always, always, always the welfare of the animal we already have must prevail before the incorporation of a new one.
Once again, it is essential to assess whether the new member of the family will be suitable for the pet that already lives with us due to its age, health, socialization…
6- If I get sick or travel, do I have someone to take care of it?
No one is free from being able to get sick or have an unexpected and unavoidable trip for work or personal reasons. But, if so, do you have a family member or friend who can take care of the dog for an indefinite period of time? Of course, we are referring to a person with whom you have previously agreed and who is not unexpectedly responsible for the animal.
