Alberta Dachshund Rescue

Hi all!  Are you thinking of adding a furry family member to your home?  There are so many things to consider!  Let's take a look at some of them.

1.  Where to get your new buddy.  There are many places we can get a pet to join our family.  We can adopt from a rescue, purchase from a breeder, purchase from online resources such a kijiji or other classified ads, or even a pet store.   All options come with some questions that should be asked.  

Is the rescue organization reputable?  Have the animals they adopt out been through vetting and were they given a clean bill of health?  If not, these things should be disclosed.  Rescues should be making sure all vaccinations are up to date, animals are neutered/spayed, and overall health should be the best that they can be.  The group should disclose all traits of the dog, and have a full return policy if the adoption should not work out.  

Choose a breeder responsibly.  There are so so so many people breeding dogs these days, and you should make sure you are making the right choice.  What kind of health testing was done?  Were you able to see mom(dam) and dad(sire)?  Did your breeder allow to see the space they were raised in and what were the conditions?  How did the breeder market their animals, and how did they price them?  Did the breeder breed for "designer" colors and are they charging more for such colors?  Are their puppies well socialized?  These are all some of the questions you should be asking.  A reputable breeder should be able to give you bloodlines, and have done health testing to provide the most healthy animal they can.  Be aware of fancy colorings, and inflated price tags.  Most of the reputable breeders I know are in fact cheaper than others, and are breeding for their love of the breed.  The Canadian Kennel Club is a great source to look into a reputable breeder.

Classified ads are also a popular way to find a dog.  My first dachshund Willy was from a Kijiji ad.  Be careful of online scams, and make sure to ask some questions about why they are rehoming.  Be aware of the potential of stolen dogs and easily hidden health concerns that could cost you a lot of money to deal with in the near future.  

Pet stores can easily tug at heart strings and be a vulnerable impulse buy.  Most pet stores are not selling pets anymore, but be careful if you do see them available at a store.  Historically, it is common for a store to get their animals from breeding mills, and only for the purpose of making money, and charge a lot of money to make a profit.  Usually you will not be able to see the parents and often do not get any further support, other for the store to make even more money off us. 

Don't forget to choose a breed that suits your family.  Pick a breed that suits your energy level, availability of time, and one that suits your lifestyle.


2. Pet Supplies.  Pets aren't cheap.  They require a lot of supplies to have a happy and safe life. Here is a small checklist of things one should consider before bringing an animal into your home.  These are a few of the obvious things that can add up to quite the investment before you even bring a little buddy home.
Kennel                 Collar            Harness           Leash          Identification
Food/water Bowls         Food        Bedding       Jackets/Boots

3.  Vet care.  Vet bills can be a huge investment.  If you're not prepared financially, it could leave the whole family in a predicament.  When choosing a vet, make sure to choose a vet that you get along with, and understands your needs and make sure they are the right fit for YOUR family!  Be prepared to pay for annual check ups, neuter/spay procedures, and keeping vaccinations up to date. Emergency vet bills can be thousands of dollars, and having a pet is a large responsibility.  Often putting money away into a separate account or looking into pet insurance is a smart way to avoid the sudden shock of potential vet bills.

4.  Animals can come with all sorts of dietary quirks.  Allergies and health issues can result if your animal isn't getting the nutrients it needs.  There are so many options for good food these days, and you will need to make sure your animal is getting what they need.  If your furry friend has any issues, often a special diet can be costly, and should always be considered when bringing a buddy home.  There are also nutritionists that can help you make the right decision should you need to look into a special diet.  

5.  Time and training.  Our pets can be a HUGE time commitment.  They require a lot of  time to train them to your needs.  Potty training, behavioral training, and basic obedience are all necessary to having a happy pet and can take hundreds and thousands of hours.  Some animals can be beyond our means, and at that point, please find a trainer to help you with any issues you cannot handle.  If you go with a trainer, be aware that there are many methods of training, and to pick a trainer that uses methods that will work for both you and your buddy.  

If you're getting a buddy, and have prepared for all of the responsibility pet ownership can come with, we hope you have success with any animal you bring home.  We hope this list can help someone remember most of the basic needs of just how much work a pet can be. 

ReplyForward