Protecting Your Pet's Future

One of the most common questions asked by many visitors and prospective adopters at the Wayne Township Animal Shelter is: "Where do you get your animals from?" and the most common answers are that some are brought in as strays or their previous owners could no longer keep them.  And that last answer always elicits interesting conversation; the owner could no longer keep their pet. 

Unfortunate as it may be, that statement is true for the majority of cases at the shelter. 

We have obtained animals from people for a variety of reasons, such as the owner became seriously ill, moving to a new place and cannot take their pet with them, have a growing family and no longer have time for their pet and even families who have been disrupted by a divorce, where all members of the family suffer, including their pets. Sadly, these are just a few of the reasons why a once loved and adored family pet ends up in the shelter now unwanted and lonely. 

THE PROCESS: EMOTIONAL IMPACT

What many people don’t consider is that the process of surrendering a pet to the shelter is a very traumatic experience for that animal and the emotional impact is harsh. There is fear, confusion, anxiety and depression observed in recently surrendered animals which, depending on the animal’s personality, can linger much longer than with others. 

Suddenly thrust into an unknown environment, these animals cower in their cage and show visible signs of separation anxiety from their family.  They were always part of a loving family with the same routine every day, some for as long as 10 years, and now have been surrendered to unfamiliar faces and wait in a cage when they previously had freedom. 

PROTECT THEIR FUTURE

Adopting or purchasing an animal should be a commitment for the life of that animal. But, unfortunately, sometimes there are situations which arise that can change your life and those in it. 

When opening your heart and home to a pet, please consider what your future plans are.  If there is a possibility in a few years that you might have a drastic change (college, new baby, etc.) which you believe will affect your ability to care for your animal, then perhaps this is not the right time in your life to acquire it, and maybe a delay in pet ownership is the right thing to do until your life stabilizes. 

It is very easy to take a pet home, but not as easy to surrender it to someone else when you can no longer care for it.  Planning ahead can avoid heartbreak for both you and your pet.  Realize that your pet adores you and believes that they are a member of your family and leaving them behind causes emotional scars that don’t always fade.

WHERE TO FIND US:

WAYNE TOWNSHIP ANIMAL SHELTER

201 Pompton Plains Crossroads

Wayne, NJ 07470

(Located off Route 23 North; take the Jackson Avenue exit)

Website:  www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ516.html

Phone: 973-694-0767

Fax: 973-616-1270

Email: animalshelter@waynetownship.com

STOP BY TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND TODAY!

Check out the link below to see the many loveable furry friends awaiting adoption at the Wayne Township Animal Shelter!  Many of these animals have very sad stories of abandonment and have been waiting at the shelter for a long time, but they still hold out hope for a second chance to get out of their shelter cage one day. 

At the Wayne Township Animal Shelter we are committed to finding our dogs and cats loving forever homes which means matching them with the right owner. 

BE A HERO AND ADOPT! 

CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS HERE:  www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ516.html