By Janet McAfeee
Fall has arrived and the holidays will begin soon with Halloween followed by Thanksgiving. There is no better time than now to think about adding a new dog or cat to bring greater joy to your household during the holidays.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has declared October “Adopt A Shelter Dog” month. However, during every month throughout the year beautiful and loving adoptable dogs and cats wait in our public shelters seeking homes. Millions of them, whose only crime is not having a home, are euthanized in our overwhelmed and crowded public shelter system.
We have two fabulous public shelters in the Coachella Valley where you can begin your search for a wonderful new animal. The Palm Springs Animal Shelter and the Coachella Valley Animal Campus (our Riverside County shelter in Thousand Palms) are inviting, modern structures with friendly and informed staff, eager to assist you select that “purrfect” pet. These shelters have indoor and outdoor visiting areas where you discover the unique personality of animals you are interested in adopting. This is contrary to the image many people still have of shelters as depressing, dungeon-like concrete buildings.
Here are some reasons why you should adopt your new best friend from a shelter or rescue:
- FREE DOG TRAINING SEMINAR AT THE COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – Entertaining and informative, dog trainer Jason Rae with www.strutmymutt.com offers a fabulous session to help with your rescue dog’s training issues at the shelter on Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 pm, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. Riverside County Department of Animal Services has contracted with Jason to help owners. Leave your dog at home, but come prepared to get all your questions answered so you can become an expert! (I went to Jason’s presentation last month, and it was FANTASTIC.) Contact (951) 358-7295 for more information.
Trainer Jason Rae is building a system to help dogs in rescues and shelters. On his website Rae explains, “Millions of dogs around the world find themselves in shelters, most of them not making it back into a loving home. What a tragedy, and for the most part this can be avoided if the owner was able to control their dog through training, creating a harmonious life for both. We’ve found it saves lives.” Jason Rae is pictured here with his rescue dog Whiskey.
- YOU GET A GREAT BARGAIN WHEN YOU ADOPT FROM A SHELTER – Adoption fees at public shelters are relatively low and include the cost of spay/neuter, first vaccinations, and often microchipping. Currently the Palm Springs Animal Shelter charges $30 to adopt a cat and $60 to adopt a dog, and they often offer discounted specials that include a follow-up veterinary visit. The Coachella Valley Animal Campus frequently offers cat adoption specials of $15. Dog adoption rates vary, but are almost always less than $100. It would cost you between $450 and $700 just to spay a dog at a private veterinary clinic.
- ADOPTING FROM A SHELTER HELPS FIGHT PUPPY MILLS – When you order a puppy online or purchase a pet from a pet store it likely came from a large “factory style” breeding facilities that puts profits ahead of the welfare of the animals. The breeding animals are housed in shockingly poor conditions, without human touch or medical care. Be an animal hero and save a life by adopting from a shelter.
- MANY OF THE ANIMALS IN SHELTERS ARE PURE BREEDS – Did you know that approximately 30% of the animals in shelters and rescues are pure breeds? Yet another reason not to spend thousands of dollars on a dog from a breeder if you are seeking a specific breed. You can go on www.petfinder.com to locate specific types and breeds of available shelter pets.
- SHELTER ANIMALS ARE THE BEST – The vast majority of the dogs in shelters come bounding out of their kennels brimming with love and gratitude at being rescued. A small minority may be a bit fearful, but with a little time and a lot of love, they will transform into well-adjusted happy animals. When you adopt an animal, you can also feel proud about helping one in need.
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is now operated by a private organization, Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Go by and see their lovely new building located at 4575 E. Mesquite Avenue in Palm Springs. You can find out about their special events and view their adoptable animals at www.psanimalshelter.org.
The large, modern Coachella Valley Animal Campus is located just north of the 10 freeway in Thousand Palms. Go visit their facility at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. View their available animals at www.rcdas.org.
RESCUE DOGS ROCK!!
