Posts in Category: Puppies & Kittens

For many homebound people, a pandemic puppy is a real response to the global health crisis – for good reason. Most of us have more time on our hands than ever before, and combating loneliness and despair has never been this challenging. 

Adopting or fostering during this time helps people cope with high blood pressure, stress, fear, and isolation. But how can you socialize your dog when everyone is keeping their distance?

Adopting a new dog is exciting and fun. But it can also be quite a challenge. The commitment of dog adoption is a lifelong one; but even though it may seem a tad scary, nothing quite beats a life-long canine companion. As with most things in life, however, a little preparation can go far toward a successful outcome. 

What a Deal!

When you adopt a shelter dog, you literally save a life. An added bonus is that the shelter’s adoption fees help to pay for food, facilities, veterinary care, spaying or neutering, microchipping, and all the other expenses that go into sheltering and caring for homeless pets in your community. 

Puppies are irresistible, but it’s increasingly more important to consider where they come from. Unfortunately, pet stores and online ads mask a truly horrid truth. Puppy mills, large-scale commercial breeding facilities, are notorious for keeping dogs in horrid conditions, forcefully breeding them for financial gain. 

Without attention to wellness or careful breeding, a pet unwittingly adopted from a puppy mill can have serious health conditions that are most often concealed by their cuteness.

Tis the season of giving, and for many of us, a pet seems like a wonderful gift to bestow on a deserving family member. Unfortunately, many of these animals will be surrendered to shelters across the country in the weeks and months following the holidays. Certainly, it’s nice to picture a precious puppy or cuddly kitten popping out of a beautifully wrapped box on Christmas morning, but the team at Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital urges you to consider whether giving a pet as a gift is really a good idea.

Skip the Surprise

When it comes to giving a pet as a gift, perhaps the most important factor is the element of surprise. We all want to delight a loved one with the perfect present, but pet ownership should always be carefully thought out ahead of time. A surprise may be more fun in the short-term, but ultimately, everyone will be happier if a plan is in place prior to welcoming a new pet into the family.