Pet Care
      &
Responsibilies

       Any person adopting a pet takes on a special responsibility of caring for
that pet for the length of its natural life. There are specific needs for different
breeds and species; however, all have the following minimum needs in common:

• Secure and out-of-the-weather shelter
• Fresh water daily
• Adequate and wholesome food to maintain a healthy body weight
• Clean bedding and litter box area
• Daily inspection for signs of injury, wounds, parasites, or ill health, with
  prompt followup for medical attention as needed
• Periodic grooming to maintain a lush coat and healthy skin
• Annual checkup by your veterinarian, or a timely visit if your pet shows a sickly condition or unusual behavior. If you pet shows any indication of side effects or unusual behavior, check immediately with your veterinarian.
  

  – Other Items of Consideration –

• Keep your pet secure while traveling to prevent injury
• Spay or neuter your cats and dogs to prevent overpopulation and
  unwanted animals
• Maintain a picture and description in case your pet gets lost (consider implanting a microchip which can be scanned at your local shelter).
• Maintain a pet first aid kit to promptly treat minor injuries
• Don’t allow your pet to be a nuisance or threat to humans or other animals
• Before adopting a pet, be sure you do enough research and check on breed behavior to be sure that you and your prospective pet will be a good match for your lifestyle now and in the years to come.
  
  -- Special Concerns for the Winter Months --
• Bring your aging outdoor pets as well as short-haired animals inside permanently during cold weather months.
• Cleanup any spills of antifreeze which is lethal to animals.
• Cats sometimes crawl under the hood of vehicles with warm engines. Remember to thump the hood before any start-ups.
• Never leave your animals in the car during the cold where they can freeze and die from exposure.
• Doghouses for your outdoor dog should be well insulated, out of the wind, elevated for dryness, and only slightly larger than your dog to preserve body heat. Provide clean and dry woodchips, shredded paper, or straw for bedding material.
• Provide feral cats in the neighborhood with warm water and good-grade cat food until the spring thaw.

  For more specific information on caring for felines and canines,
  click on the following page links on this site: