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by JULIA HARR
Lifestyles Reporter
They must be fed, socialized, potty-trained, educated and exercised.
No, this is not a list of things for new parents, but new pet owners.
The Watauga Humane Society is a no-kill shelter for animals and a main source of animal adoption in the High Country.
Each year they process around 800 animals through their adoption services, Shelter Manager Nicole Carper said.
She said college students could potentially make great pet owners and adoption is most successful when the right match is made.
“I owned
a pet in college,” Carper said. “I got an adult dog which didn’t
require as much work as a puppy would have. I still have her and it
worked find for me.”
Before a college student adopts a pet, they should research breeds to find a good match, Carper said.
“A puppy
requires nearly five hours of work a day by the time the owner does
training,” she said. “An adult dog that likes to lay on the floor and
go for a walk doesn’t require as much time.”
Before any adoption is finalized, potential owners go through an application process.
In order to adopt a pet, appropriate housing that allows pets must be available.
“We like
to make sure there is no heartbreak for the animal or the adopter,”
Carper said. “So we check to see if everyone agrees with the presence
of the animal.”
Adoption fees are $95 for dogs and $75 for cats.
“The fee includes the spay or neuter and the first round of shots,” Carper said.
Carper said the biggest reason animals are returned is because people move and cannot take the animal where they are going.
Katie M. Bowers, junior recreation management major, recently adopted a dog.
Bowers adopted the dog with her boyfriend and the couple agreed to raise their pet together.
Kaiah, a husky mix, takes up much of their time.
“She’s a really good dog, smart and friendly with everyone,” Bowers said. “We’re teaching her tricks right now.”
Bowers said that she and her boyfriend take turns spending the night and day with the dog.
“Sharing the responsibility with someone makes it easier time-wise and financially,” she said.
Pet ownership requires time and financial responsibly, a good match and caretaking of the animal.
Despite the responsibility required; owning an animal can enhance the quality of life, Bowers says.
“If
pet ownership is not a good option for you right now,” Carper said.
“You can always come by the shelter and play with the dogs and walk
them for free.”
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