There’s a lot to think about when bringing a non-tax deductible dependent into your home but also a lot of love in return. 

The decision to adopt a dog or cat should not be taken lightly. It’s easy to walk into a pet shop or shelter, look into the eyes of a cat or dog and fall immediately in love. Many Indiana University students bring home a lovable companion but fail to think about what happens after graduation or the time needed to care for a dog or cat.

“There are just as many students that have been bad parents as good ones,” said Muff Johnson, a volunteer at the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

Before making the decision to adopt you need to consider your lifestyle, living situation, finances, and the next 10 to 20 years of your life. If you decide that adoption is not for you but love animals, the Bloomington Animal Shelter is always looking for volunteers. Many students volunteer or just play with the animals at pet shops and shelters on a regular basis.

“I’ve had a lot of students that come and play all through school and come back to buy a puppy when they are ready,” said Karene Kidwell, co-owner of Delilah’s Pet Shop at 17th and Walnut streets.

So you really do want to adopt, where do you start?

                   Nikki McAtee
Alfonso, a kitten recently adopted from the shelter.
There are a few ways to go about adopting a dog or cat in Bloomington. The most common are contacting a breeder, going to a pet shop or visiting the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

The easiest way to find a breeder is to look through the classifieds section of the newspapers in southern Indiana. The drawback of adopting directly from a breeder is that the cat or dog will most likely cost over $100 and there will probably be some travel involved to get to the breeder. The huge benefit, however, is that you know where the cat or dog is coming from, which can play a great role in the behavior and health of your pet.

                         Nikki McAtee
Lola, a beagle and Japanese chin mix adopted from Delilah’s Pet Shop.
The next way to go adopt a cat or dog is to visit the local pet shops. There are two pet shops in Bloomington: Delilah’s Pet Shop and Pass Pets. Pass Pets chose not to comment; the store is in the College Mall. Delilah’s Pet Shop has been in business for 21 years. Delilah’s prides itself on selling healthy high quality animals.

“We work hard trying to keep them healthy,” said Kidwell. Kidwell follows strict guidelines, when deciding what animals to sell. She only buys from individual breeders and gets them at 8 weeks old, unlike many brokerages that sell at 6 weeks. “They have a lot to learn from their mother at that time. … I refuse to buy from brokerages,” said Kidwell. Most of the cats and dogs in Delilah’s Pet Shop sell for between $100 and $800, because many come directly from local breeders

 If you decide you want to adopt an older dog or just don’t want to pay breeder and pet shop prices, then the Bloomington Animal Shelter may be the place for you. Dogs and cats 5 years and younger are $75, while cats and dogs 5 years and older cost $55.

The shelter has been in business since 1968 and has about 5,200 adoptable animals a year. To adopt a cat or dog, you must first fill out an application and meet with an adoption counselor. The counselor will talk about any concerns you may have in caring for a pet, your long-term plans, and what training options are correct for you.

This rule was put in place “so people don’t choose an animal that is inappropriate for their lifestyle,” said Johnson, who has been with the shelter since 1990. “You can get a good sense talking to people,” said Johnson when discussing the counseling process. The shelter also works with local landlords and will call your landlord to make sure you are able to have pets.

                                    Nikki McAtee
These two dogs are waiting to be adopted today at the Bloomington Animal Shelter.

 

For many, the Bloomington Animal Shelter has been an excellent choice. Kate Lee, an IU law student, recently adopted a dog from the shelter. “They helped us find dogs with the right personality to a get along with the dog we already own,” said Lee.

In order to determine what would be the best fit for all members of her family, the shelter allowed Lee to bring in her dog and introduce him to potential playmates.

You have your pet, what now?  

After adopting your pet, you may have many concerns. “How do I get this thing to quit peeing on the carpet? Will it destroy all my furniture? Does it ever sleep for more than two hours straight?” There are many ways to get help, from your local vet to the hundreds of books written about owning pets to the “doggy day cares” and supply stores around town.  

The first stop to make after adopting your pet should be to your local veterinarian. “It makes sense to have an adoption [be] contingent on a post adoption checkup,” said Dr. Mary Alice Cox of the Bloomington Veterinary Hospital. Bloomington Veterinary Hospital has been open for about 34 years and Cox, along with veterinarian Dr. Jim Koch, have owned the practice for 19 years.

The hospital serves dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, and even reptiles. Before adopting, Cox suggested that “it is reasonable to check with a veterinarian prior to adoption to ask what expenses to expect for preventative health care.” The main expenses to worry about are spaying and neutering, which is usually free if you adopt from a shelter, heart worm medication for dogs, and flea and tick medication for both dogs and cats. The larger the animal, the more the medication usually costs.

After you have a healthy pet, the next thing to think about is behavior and a daily routine. There are places to take your dog during the day if you feel it won’t get the attention it needs. There are a few “doggy day care” facilities around town. These places are often cage-free, allow your dog to socialize with other dogs and go outside to use the bathroom when he or she needs to. Lee sends her dogs to day care “for a play day whenever they need more attention than we can give them, like during exams.”

There are also a variety of stores that sell supplies for your pet. Many of these places also offer grooming and training services. James Hardy, the manager of PetCo, located on East Third Street, describes PetCo as a place where “the animals really do come first.”

“We have an amazing trainer here, and programs for dogs of all ages,” said Hardy. PetCo and other supply stores also offer a wide range of merchandise for your pet.

Owning a pet is hard work, but it can be an amazingly rewarding experience. “You have to do more than just think with your heart when owning a puppy,” said Kidwell. Pet owners today have many resources available to them, including, shelters, veterinarians, and pet supply shops. If you’re willing to dedicate the necessary time and money to your pet, chances are you will have a lovable companion for a long time.
 

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