LOS ANGELES
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LOS ANGELES |
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How To Adopt
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The decision to adopt a companion animal from the City Shelter is a noble one, so give yourself a pat on the back; you are making the world a kinder, gentler place and setting an example for others to do the same! You do not have to call the shelter or make appointments, just go down during their adoption hours. The staff will let you look at all the animals they have for adoption. Since there is a huge overpopulation crises in this country each shelter gets in new animals everyday. You don't have to live in LA city to adopt from the LA city shelters and in turn you don't have to live in Camarillo for instance, to adopt from their shelter.If you don't find the companion you are looking for at the first shelter you visit, visit other shelters; some have a bigger selection than others. Some shelters let you take the animals you like to another room to be with them one on one. Remember the animals at the shelters are lonely, scared and nervous so there will be a lot of barking and jumping around. Don't discount a dog who looks scraggly, you would too if you had been on the street or in a home where the family did not take good care of you. Picture the dogs and cats at the shelter after they have been washed, and given a tummy full of good food, and a nice bed to sleep on. Don't be scared to adopt an older dog. Older dogs are usually house trained and they are more mellow and obedient then puppies or kittens. Most dogs and cats live to the ripe old age of fifteen to twenty years, so consider an older dog. City shelters usually have pure breed dogs and cats as well as mixed breeds. There is no difference in the worth of an animal because of it's breed. Each dog or cat is born a loving, sweet, wonderful animal. Pure breeds are actually more susceptible to certain illnesses, and don't always live as long as mixed breeds. You will be asked to fill out paper work, show your ID card or Drivers License and if you want a city license, you will need to show your Department of Water and Power receipt. Then there is an adoption fee. This is usually between fifty and eighty dollars. This adoption fee will include:
Your new dog or cat will be taken BY THE CITY to the vet to be spayed and/or neutered for you, so that you can pick up your new best friend directly from the vet in one or two days. If the dog or cat is too young (under three months of age) then you will be responsible to spay or neuter them as soon as they turn three months of age. Now its time to celebrate the fact that you have just saved the life of an innocent cat or dog who would have been most likely killed if you hadn't come into the shelter and adopted him or her. You are now the proud new parents of a wonderful and loyal friend who will give you unconditional love for the rest of their life. Buy a good book on how to take care of your companion through love and positive reinforcement. Remember that when you pick up the cat or dog from the vet, they will be scared and nervous and will take awhile (sometimes up to a month) for them to feel safe and learn your family routine. So, be patient and teach them the things they need to know always through love, never through fear.
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