Consider carefully before getting a dog or cat

Those thinking of getting a pet for Christmas should consider the move carefully. It involves commitment.

Budgeting funds for food and veterinary care is one concern. Spaying or neutering is a one-time cost, but some animals require professional grooming, and dogs require licenses.

Allocating time and attention is an even bigger responsibility. Those considering whether to acquire a dog or cat should plan to spend time each day exercising and interacting with their pet.

And they should plan on that commitment lasting a lifetime. They might bring home a puppy or kitten, but they eventually will have a dog or a cat. The adult version can differ greatly from the young version.

In some respects, that's good; puppies are cute, for example, but both ends can cause trouble until the pooch is trained. Yet the youthful stage lasts just months; pets live for years.

Couples who think caring for a pet may provide a preview of how they'd handle starting a family should ponder that point. If all goes according to plan. the couple would be caring for an infant and a dog or cat.

Of course, people who want a pet could forego the puppy or kitten stage and adopt an adult animal. That's highly commendable. But before going to a shelter, consider why pets end up there. Often, it's because a former owner no longer has the time or money to care for them properly.

We're not advising against making the decision to care for a pet. We just ask that anyone considering such a choice first commit to thinking through the decision before taking on the responsibility. The reward can be a gift that keeps on giving - as long as the owner promises to give in return.

Pets and Animals - A Mans Best Friend

It is perfectly normal to want pets inside your homes. As a human being, it is but natural to have an affinity for pets-and-animals. However, you should realize that there is a difference between pets-and-animals – the former can stay with you at home, while the latter may not necessarily be a good idea for a home companion. If you have kids, the more that you should be aware of the different pets-and-animals that may or may not be ideal for your humble abode.

We absolutely love the idea of getting adventurous and petting your own scorpion. However, that stuff is only nice to see in movies. If you really want your kids to enjoy pets-and-animals at home, get a pet that will not sting or hurt anyone. Speaking of hurt, you might also want to keep your house away from the presence of forest animals. There are in fact families who are thinking of petting a deer, but they are not in any way friendly as you think.

There is also the possibility of risking people’s health when you choose to pet this kind of animal. Turtles are also great pets, however, make sure that you do not get a snapping turtle unless you have a large tank in your house that can serve as its home. Aside from those aforementioned animals, there are also a few people who’ve managed to pet chimpanzees inside their very home. However, if you want to keep your home and children away from possible violence and too much clutter, you might want to just disregard that idea.

Pet food banks to get big boost from new Petco drive

When the Petco Foundation launches its national food bank drive for the holiday season Friday, Tom Wargo is going to be one happy man.


He knows the contributions will mean he doesn't have to turn away as many people who can't afford to feed their pets. Wargo is the director of Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchens in Georgia. He says when he started his soup kitchen in 1997, people referred to him as the "crazy dog food guy." He's a hero to thousands now.


"The idea is to help families feed their pets so they don't have to take them to shelters,'' said Petco Foundation executive director Tom Jolly. "The food banks are really filling a need in the communities now.''


Petco stores have bins where shoppers can drop off cans and sealed bags of food for cats and dogs as well as kitty litter.


Why pet food banks? One in eight families is taking part in food banks, according to the Petco Foundation, and many of these families also have pets who need food. Petco started the program in March. Its stores partner with a local food bank or animal welfare group to donate pet food and litter directly to economically stressed consumers in that store's community. The initiative has already provided more than 110 tons of pet food and litter to those in need. But pets continue to end up in shelters. Keeping pets healthy and out of the shelters during the holidays is a key goal.

"Petco's contributions to us are helping in more ways than one,'' says Wargo, adding when people come to the food banks, he and other volunteers get a chance to open conversations about spay and neuter programs. Again, fewer animals for the shelters. "We help them find affordable veterinary care,'' he says.

Families visit the food banks once a month and pick up enough food for two pets.

"It's really the perfect point of contact for families to learn about caring for pets,'' says Jolly. "Also research shows a fixed animal is likely to stay in a home because they are a greater value to the owner."

Jolly says many of the stores will have a can of food at the register that can be purchased and adding to the food bin. The stores can tell customers or those in need which food bank or shelter is serving their area.

READERS: What a great effort this is to help families and pets stay together. Any contribution helps, including foods for senior pets and pets requiring special diets. Right now, it's just for cats and dogs. Here's another story about a volunteer who helps collect and distribute food for cats in Oregon.