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Posts Tagged ‘ pet ownership ’

Why People Relinquish Pets

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, behavorial issues are not the main reason pet owners relinquish pets to an animal shelter. Following are the top ten reasons pet owners in the US relinquish cats  and dogs:

Cats

  1. Too many cats in house
  2. Allergies
  3. Moving
  4. Cost of pet maintenance
  5. Landlord issues
  6. No homes for littermates
  7. House soiling
  8. Personal problems
  9. Inadequate facilities
  10. Doesn’t get along with other pets

 

Dogs

  1. Moving
  2. Landlord issues
  3. Cost of pet maintenance
  4. No time for pet
  5. Inadequate facilities
  6. Too many pets in home
  7. Pet  illness
  8. Personal problems
  9. Biting
  10. No home for littermates

 

Since landlord issues appear on both lists, be sure to check on any limits (size/weight of pets, type of pets, number of pets allowed) that might apply before adopting.  Most apartment complexes also have a deposit and additional monthly fee per pet.

Another item on both lists is cost of pet ownership.  Adopting a pet is a commitment of time and money.  The ASPCA estimates the first year costs of dog ownership range from $810 for a small dog to $1,580 for a large dog. First year costs for cat ownership average $715.

After the first year, dog ownership costs range from $420-$780 annually.  Cat ownership costs average $575 annually.

Pet ownership can be very rewarding, but having to relinquish that pet can traumatize both owner and pet.  Although circumstances may change after you adopt, doing your homework before adopting a pet can prevent problems down the road.

Information for this post from Pets Gone Green by Eve Adamson and Pets and the Planet by Carol Frischmann

Dog vs. Cat – Which is better?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Author Bradley Trevor Greive upset more than a handful of happy cat owners upon the release of his book, “Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats.”  However, upon turning the pages of this book, it becomes apparent that Greive  is not anti-cat.  He is merely pro-dog.  In fact, many of those cat owners have now come to embrace the meaning behind this book.

The book, which took six months of work and of intense observation of dogs, sets forth accounts as to why dogs simply make better pets.

Jessie, the dog, interrupts:  HA!  I knew it!  I was right all along!

Bo, the distinguished cat, interjects:  It is only one book.  I am sure someone is now feverishly penning a title to the contrary!

Along with Greive’s prose, the works of famed photographer Rachel Hale were used to present a collection of complementary images.  The working relationship between these two was nothing short of fantastic and supported the grand evidence of how modern technology works wonders.  Greive  was at home in Tasmania recovering from shoulder and knee surgery while…

Bo:  What?  Did some angry cat rip him to shreds?

Jessie:  Be quiet…I want to hear more!

….as we were saying…while Hale got married in New Zealand.  She worked from illustrations to build sets and then took various photos to accompany Greive’s written portions.

Despite Greive’s obvious preference for the canine kind, he does point out a few down sides to such pet ownership:  the intense time needed to care for them and the money it takes to feed them are just two examples.

Greive will admit that cats are attractive to look at, and, “when possessed by their own frisky demons, hilarious to observe.”

Jessie:  Hey, Bo…you demonic thing you!  What’s up?

Bo merely glares devilishly at Jessie.

Despite the humorous tone in this book, Greive does note that before one decides to own a dog, he or she has to take into consideration the responsibilities that come along with that role.

Greive continues to live with his three wonderful dogs and has no plans to introduce a cat to the clan anytime soon.  Nor does he foresee a feline rebuttal in the works, at least from his pen!

Bo quickly runs off and turns on the computer to open a Word document!  Let the games begin!

For more about Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats, go to http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/products/?isbn=0740785133

The experts at My Joy of Living Pet Sitting in Kansas City had the unique opportunity to visit with Mr. Greive when he was in town recently.  My Joy of Living will refrain from providing its preference between cats and dogs.  These pet sitting experts tend to both wonderful creatures!