While many pet owners are responsible people who care for their animals for their lifetime, even going so far as to purchase Florida dog health insurance to cover their pets and take control of veterinary expenses, others are not as committed. Sadly, shelter representatives say they see pets arrive every day, surrendered by owners who simply decide the animal is “too much trouble” to keep, or they’ve changed their minds. Some people say they are moving and can’t take the pet with them (rather than looking for a home that accepts pets). Others say they can’t afford their pet any longer (an increasingly common reason for surrender during the downturn in the economy). Incredibly, some careless owners don’t even bother to at least take their unwanted animals to a shelter, and abandon them—and animal control officers report have far too frequently been called to investigate incidents of animals that, shockingly, have been left behind by their owners, tied up in a backyard with no food or water. Left to fend for themselves, pets get injured or killed, and breed uncontrollably. The consequences of too many pets Pet overpopulation is a sad reality that we have faced for a long time; our furry friends are just too numerous to have forever homes available for every four-legged animal who needs one. The grim result: animals end up fending for themselves on the street, suffering from hunger and thirst, danger from cars or cruel people and all manner of diseases; others are rounded up and placed in shelters where they are evaluated for their adoptability. Those deemed to be sociable enough are available for adoption, but (unless the animals have been fortunate to go to a shelter with a “no-kill” policy) there’s a clock ticking out their time to live. If the animals aren’t selected for adoption, they will be euthanized; millions of dogs and cats each year suffer these consequences. The decision to own should be well thought out Before people decide to adopt a pet for themselves or their children, it’s critical that they understand that pet ownership is intended to be a lifetime commitment. Animals can be costly to own—if they become ill or injured, the vet bills can add up. That’s why many owners opt to obtain Florida dog health insurance, which offers various levels of protection for both routine and catastrophic care. So if the kids fail to live up to their promise to take care of Fido, or it’s discover that the dog has a penchant for digging holes or chewing slippers, the better answer is a good training program—not dumping the animal at a shelter. If all else fails, owners should find another home that is willing to take the animal on the “forever” basis that they deserve.
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