Dear Porky and Buddy,
Help! Two weeks ago I rescued a stray kitten, took her to the vet for a health check, made a big effort to find her owner, (without success) and now I really need to find her a permanent home, as I really can’t keep her. Do you have any suggestions about how to go about doing that?
Sue
Dear Sue,
We have talked about this before, but it is such an important issue that we are doing it again. We are very grateful to you for taking on this responsibility and doing the right thing. We have several suggestions for finding her a home of her own. Classified advertising, handbills, posters or notices at local veterinary hospitals, pet supply stores, and food stores, and referrals through local humane organizations are the most popular techniques for placing a stray in a good home. In our experience the cuter the picture on your poster, the more attention it will attract. (That?s the good thing about digital cameras.) But don?’t overlook word-of-mouth. ? Quite often ?friends of friends? know someone looking for a pet. Not only will your orphan find a home quickly, you?’ll have a better chance of following up.
And do follow up! Screen a potential adopter carefully. You want your stray to have a permanent and loving home? and to never be a stray again. A qualified adopter should appreciate it if you’?re thorough. Ask questions, including: Have you had pets in the past? If so, where are they now? What will you feed your pet and how often? Who is/will be your veterinarian? How much time will be spent with your new pet? Is the cost of continuing and possible emergency veterinary care within your budget? Get a home address and telephone number, references, identification, and a ?good faith? fee of no less than $25.00. If a potential adopter balks at this amount, he or she may also hesitate at the cost of proper care.? So look for a different home! Get promises that the animal will be kept properly indoors most of the time, and will not be used as a guard dog or ?mouser.? Finally, there should be an agreement that you can come and visit the animal three or four weeks after placement. If that seems intrusive to you, remember how much time and trouble you have already taken with this animal. It makes sense to be careful, and, again, a conscientious adopter will appreciate your careful approach to finding a new home.
Good luck and our heartfelt thanks again.
Looking for a new love in your life? Meet all of our pets for adoption at our Home 4 the Holidays Adoption Extravaganza on Sunday, November 15th from 10 to 4 at the Oswego Armory. In addition to being able to find your new best friend, you can get acquainted with many of the animal welfare organizations in our area, buy some Holiday reading at our book sale, have some lunch, and do some Holiday shopping at our Craft Show with local crafters and artisans. There will also be pet photos with Santa. It will be fun. You can find out more about our pets for adoption at www.oswegohumane.org. Crafters who would like to be part of the Craft show can sign up online at www.oswegohumane.org/events or call the
office for an application.
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County. Our office is located at 265 West First Street, Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 207-1070. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.oswegohumane.org.
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