Surrendering your pet (to a shelter); Keep your pet

When considering taking your pet to a shelter (Humane Society, animal control, etc.), please keep in mind that reports indicate that annually only 15% - 25% of animals that enter a shelter leave a shelter alive. (Meaning 75% - 85% of animals don't.) Of course, the range in this percentage is dependent upon each shelter's "euthanasia" policy. Neither age, nor species, nor cuteness of face will guarantee the adoption of your pet.

detroit dog's advice: spend a little time to find a good home or a foster home for your pet; use a shelter as a very last resort for surrendering, as a first resort for adopting. (Bastet was adopted from the NYC ASPCA).

For information on pet behaviors of dogs, cats, and rabbits (and rabbit toys), check out these web sites:

• www.fanciers.com
  
• www.wonderpuppy.net
• www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-prob.htm
• www.rabbit.org/
• www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_behavior

Some things to think about, if pet behavior issues concern you :

1. Chewing

• most puppies chew - just like human babies teethe; they need chew toys
• adult dogs tend to chew things because they don't have the right chew toys, or because they are lonely, bored, frustrated, or anxious (they need some attention and play; you don't like being left alone for hours with nothing to do, right?)
• rabbits need to chew to keep their teeth trim, or they will become unhealthy or depressed
  

2. Urinating (pee-ing)

• dogs think it is disgusting to pee and poop in the very place they live; but they might not know to do differently if they were raised in a place that didn't let them out of the house or their crate often enough
• your pet might have a urinary tract infection, which can cause frequent and sometimes painful urination. It is also deadly - and quickly. Get your pet to a vet immediately (do NOT wait a couple of days; if there is blood - get them to the vet NOW)
• dogs can be "house-broken" by keeping them on a regular schedule to go outside (after they get used to the schedule, they can sometimes wait until you are able to let them out)
• sometimes dogs "go" in the house if a dog lived there before you moved in - and that dog had an "accident" in the house (dogs can smell things that humans can't) or if they are on a medication that makes them pee a lot (like prednisone and other steroids)
  
• some dogs pee because they "respect" you and are being submissive to you
  
• dogs and cats need to be neutered or spayed early, or they might "mark" their territory in your house