By Executive Director Kerri Burns
Summertime is filled with vacations, kids are out of school, and there’s a lot more time to spend with family. Why not add a furry addition to your family this summer? Adopting a pet from a shelter is always an exciting event.
Getting everything together in your home to welcome their arrival, taking them for walks in the evening around your neighborhood—there are a number of wonderful moments that occur in your first few months with your new pet. Below are a few reasons why summer is a great time to adopt your new cat or dog:
1. You have more time to spend with them
If you have some spare time during summer then it’s perfect for bringing home your newly adopted cat or dog. You can help them settle into the new family environment, get use to your routines, start a schedule for feeding, walking, play time, etc. You can take your new adopted pet to the veterinarian, post all your new photos and videos to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube (because you will have a lot to post). When you do get back to your regular routine and the kids are in school, then the transition will be much more comfortable for everyone involved.
2. Family entertainment (especially for the kids)
Orlando is a fun city to live in with all of its theme parks, but it can be expensive. For a fraction of the cost you can adopt your new pet and family member. Our adoption fees include a microchip, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, a free vet exam, and a month of heartworm protection. Pick up a few toys, a couple bowls, some food, leash, and collar, and you will enjoy years of love for your family. Have the kids involved in selecting your new pet, training, feeding, and just sheer entertainment in the backyard.
3. Shelters seem to be full of pets during the summer months
For most shelters, the summer months are a time that the number of animals they have occupying space reaches a record high. We have all sizes and types of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. Adopting in the summer helps shelters to alleviate the stress of overcrowding. Think about your family environment, are you active? Do you like to stay at home and watch movies a lot? How many hours a day are you home? There are many factors to think about before choosing your new pet. So make sure you ask the right questions to the staff or volunteers about each animal you are considering so that this time when the pet leaves the shelter, he/she never has to return. You are now one big happy family.
Enjoy your summer, and the years to come with your new adopted pet!
