Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 - (Page 678)

H OW YO U CA N H E L P [A good pet-owner match reduces the risk of relinquishment.] lthough it is obvious to veterinarians that a Border collie and a 96-year-old woman likely make a poor pet-owner match, it may not be obvious to a potential owner who has never been around Border collies. Indeed, one reason healthy animals wind up in shelters, says Gail Golab, PhD, DVM, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) interim director for animal welfare, is Assist owners in selecting the best pets for their lifestyles A because people “acquire a pet with an expectation the pet doesn’t fulfill.” All too often, says John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB, people do not carefully consider their choice of pets. They do not think about how much attention, exercise, and grooming a dog will need and whether they are willing to devote that much time to the dog’s care. “Adding a dog is no different from adding a baby to the house- hold,” he says. “They’re talking about adding a life to their home.” HELPING YOUR CLIENTS If a client tells you he or she is thinking about getting a new pet, ask lots of questions to get more background information, says Dr. Ciribassi. “For example, I strongly advise clients against getting a dog when there are children under 6 in the home,” he explains. “Managing young children and a dog at the same time is difficult, especially because of the potential fearful response to active children and their friends in the home. Cats can be ideal in such situations because most cats will learn to avoid young, active children, while dogs may become aggressive.” In addition, make sure owners assess whether they have enough room and money to provide for another pet. And owners should consider whether their old pet will get along with a new one (see “A preadoption checklist” for a list of questions that Dr. Ciribassi asks potential owners). Your time in the examination room is limited, so consider training staff members as preadoption counselors (see “What works for Dr. Denise Porte”). RESOURCES Client education pamphlets about what owners should expect when selecting a dog, cat, or bird are available on the AVMA Web site (www.avma.org). To view, download, or purchase these pamphlets, choose the Animal health brochures link under Public Resources. Continued on page 679. A preadoption checklist Use this list, created by Dr. John Ciribassi, to help potential pet owners select the right companion, including selecting the right species and breed. H What is the purpose of adopting the pet? The client may be looking for companionship or an animal to compete in agility training. H Does anyone in the family have allergies? If so, what are they? Consider all family members who may spend time with the proposed pet. H Are there children in the household? If so, what are their ages? Cats may be a better choice for a family with small children. H How much time will you have to exercise the pet? Dogs should have at least one 15-minute walk a day. H Do you have access to exercise areas? Dogs should have access to a fenced yard, a local park, or an off-leash park. H For how much of the day will the pet be alone? Dogs should not have to be alone more than eight hours a day. H How much grooming and shedding can you deal with? H How much room do you have in your home? An English mastiff is probably not a good fit for a small apartment. H Do you have room for cages, an aquarium, or litter boxes? H How much can you financially manage with the pet? The larger the pet, the greater the costs are for feeding, general care, and medical needs. H Have you considered how adding a new pet to your household will affect your current pet? Discuss the possible repercussions and how the owner would best handle them. H Have you had a pet before? Less-demanding pets can be a great way to get early experience. For example, if you like birds, get a cockatiel before a macaw. 678 October 2007 VETERINARY MEDICINE http://www.avma.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 Contents Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Toxicology Brief Idea Exchange Animal Sheltering in the United States: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow The Euthanasia Problem Offer Basic Behavior Counseling for Every Pet at Every Visit Promote and Perform Early Spaying and Neutering Assist Owners in Selecting the Best Pets for their Lifestyles Champion Animal Welfare in Your Community CE Form Product Review Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

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