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The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter is planning a worthwhile fundraiser next month that we want to call your attention to.
The 21st annual Strut Your Mutt event is set to take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. Without doubt, a great time will be had by all, especially the many furry friends that will be in attendance.
Anytime UPAWS, or other animal welfare shelters, come up, adoption of pets is certain to be discussed. That's what this writing is about.
Bringing a pet into a family, any family, is a big deal. It should involve specific before-adoption discussions among family members relative who is going to be responsible for what, once Fido or Boots arrives.
On many occasions, the kids are all in. They want a lovable, cuddly pet. They promise they will feed it, walk it, clean up after it, take it to the vet and love it. They have no idea how much that will cost, or how much time and attention that will mean ... they just want a pet.
Then, a few weeks later, when the novelty has worn off, the first bag of pet food is empty and/or it is time for that trip to the vet, a decision is made. Once-begged-for animals find themselves dropped off at animal shelters, or worse, neglected or abused.
Maybe they get tied outside. Maybe they don’t get the medical care they need. Maybe they are “driven to a farm.”
Of course, many pets given as gifts are wonderfully loved and cared for and live happy lives with their new families. But that only happens when some important steps have been taken.
Bringing a pet into a family must be a whole-family decision. There shouldn’t be any surprises. Everyone should agree on their roles in taking care of the pet beforehand and the gift-giver must be willing to take on all responsibilities for the animal, financial and otherwise. Yes, that means scrubbing the carpet after “accidents.”
Are you really ready for all that? If so, great. There are plenty of dogs and cats awaiting new homes at UPAWS and many other wonderful animal shelters.
But if you have any hesitation at all, please don’t do it. If and when you are truly ready to welcome a pet into your home, there still will be plenty of furry companions available.