PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Gloria J. Towle
We have been so blessed with the amount of animals that have been adopted in 2016. Just before Christmas so many of our cages were empty of cats and kittens, and THAT indeed is a rare occurrence. Many families made the decision to stop by the shelter and find the perfect companion to take home and love.
When adopting, you are making a commitment to care for an animal for the rest of his life — that could mean 10 to 15 years for dogs and up to 20 years for cats. As you go through lifestyle changes such as moves, the birth of children and new jobs, your animal will remain a permanent part of your life. If circumstances change, will you still be able to care for your pet? 
Which pet is right for you? Your personality and lifestyle, along with challenges such as space restrictions and amount of time spent at home, should be explored to determine what pet is right for your household. Research different breeds and ask shelter staffers for guidance — they’re experts at making perfect matches.
If you’re considering adopting a dog: Loyal and loving, dogs are social animals that thrive on being upstanding members of their families. If there are young children in your home, a puppy may not be your best bet. You may want to consider adopting a medium-sized dog over five months of age. It is a good idea to draw up a schedule of who in the family will help with the care of your new dog, including walking, playing, feeding and grooming. Don’t forget to have your new friend spayed or neutered.
Pit bull adoption tips: It’s no secret that many shelters have pit bulls or pit mixes coming through their doors all the time. It is no different at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Although we have all heard the horror stories about pit bulls, in many cases “human” aggression and abuse is the culprit. Socialization is the key to a happy and confident dog. Pit bulls are enthusiastic learners. They enjoy trick training and many graduate at the head of their obedience classes.
Pits are moderately active indoors and extremely active outdoors — be prepared to spend a minimum of 20-30 minutes twice a day engaged in aerobic-level activities with your dog.
You may experience breed discrimination. Legislation may prohibit you from living in certain communities, and homeowners insurance may be harder to find. Before you adopt, call your local city hall or animal shelter to find out about your local laws.
Do your research. Bringing home a pit bull may be tough because many people wrongly associate them as being aggressive. Be prepared with breed facts and history to let people know that it’s bad ownership — not bad dogs — that causes pit bulls to be aggressive.
With an adult dog, what you see is what you get. Their personality is already developed, and you’ll be able to spot the characteristics you’re looking for much more easily than with a puppy.
Set a good example for others. Become a proud parent — be sure to show your pit bull the love and care it deserves. And always let others know what great companions they make! Find out more tips at www.aspca.org.
Stop by and visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closing for lunch 12-12:30. You can check us out at petfinders.com and Facebook. Please be responsible: spay or neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
