How much time do you have?

Now that you have taken a deeper look at your lifestyle (see Choosing Your Spoiled Rescue Part 1), ask yourself how much time do you have to devote to your spoiled rescue? Knowing how “available” you are will help you determine what age you want your spoiled rescue to be. Let’s start by looking at the time required for each age level.

Puppies and Kittens

Everyone wants a puppy or a kitten, who wouldn’t, they so darn cute! Keep in mind, there are many things to consider when adopting a puppy or a kitten.

First, have they completed their puppy/kitten vaccine schedule and do they need to be fixed? Most rescues and shelters will help with the costs or get you started with the first series of vaccines. Many rescues and shelters will already ensure your rescue is fixed before sending them home. This is more of a cost concern than a time constraint. Keep in mind, puppies and kittens will need vaccines once a month until they are at least 4 months old. Check with your veterinarian to find which vaccines are recommended in your area.

Second, is your house puppy/kitten proof? Just like with babies, these little furry babies can get into trouble if your house is not made secure. Look around your house. Can they chew or destroy furniture? Open cabinets? Fall down the stairs? Fall in a pool? Does your new fur baby have access to a balcony? Make sure they can’t open doors or run outside. There will be a learning curve initially. You can avoid veterinary visits if you secure your house before bringing your puppy/kitten home. This will require a quick trip to the hardware store and one day to install.

Third, how much time do you have for training? Kittens are easier, they don’t require much training. They are pretty instinctual. Puppies, on the other hand, need lots of training. Do you have time to spend at least 10min a day on training? Doesn’t seem like much, but it will go a long way to keeping your puppy safe and building a strong, trust-based relationship with them. Find a local dog trainer to help you on your way. The key is to do daily training at home, be consistent and you will find success.

Finally, which breed did you adopt? Will they live 10 years or 20 years? Larger dogs tend to live 7-10 years while smaller dogs live 10-15 years. Cats are now living 15-20 years. Depending on your lifestyle, can you take care of a pet for that long? Do you plan to move every few years for work? Can you guarantee your pet will be welcome where ever you move? If not, do you have a family member who can continue to care for your pet in the case of an emergency or long absence? These are important things to consider when looking for a rescue. My Grandmother adopted a puppy when she was in her 70’s knowing that I would take care of him should something happen to her. Are they going to outlive you? Who will take care of them next? Rescuing or adopting an animal is not a short term agreement, you are responsible for that animal for the rest of its life. If you can’t guarantee a forever home, then you should reconsider rescuing an animal.

Adult Animals

These are by far the easiest to find and require the least amount of time initially. Adult dogs usually have some basic training and will just need an adjustment period to get used to their new surroundings and schedule. Some adult dogs may have behavioral issues that you will need to to work through by first earning their trust. Just like with puppies, set aside 10 minutes a day to focus on training and to stay consistent. There is no issue too big that can’t be solved with trust and time. Check out later posts about training to build your confidence in these areas.

Senior Animals

Most people overlook the senior animals at the shelter. The stigma is that they have too many issues and won’t live long. Instead of thinking about how little time you have with them, consider how you can make the time they have left better. Make them Spoiled Rescues so they can live out their years in a loving home.

Yes, some older animals will come with medical conditions, but if you don’t take care of them, who will? The shelters can’t afford to keep medical cases. Some rescues will adopt them out with a promise that they will help with the costs associated with medical bills. If you’re worried about the cost, perhaps consider fostering a senior animal to help a rescue. The rescue will pay for the medical care and supplies while you supply the loving home, care, and transportation to and from the vet.

Worried that you can’t handle the medical care? Don’t worry, thats why I’m here. I will help you build your confidence and your ability to take care of your spoiled senior rescue.

Stay tuned for later posts about medical conditions. Feel free to post questions about your spoiled rescue and things you are concerned about. I may even create a post specific to your question. Keep in mind, my goal is to build your confidence in your own abilities. I’m not here to give you medical advice. That is what your veterinarian is for. I can, however, help guide you towards the questions you should ask your veterinarian so you get the answers you need.

So, now that you have taken a look at your lifestyle and available time, lets look into the different breeds and classes of dogs and cats. Check out my next posts to learn more and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.