Why Not Consider Adopting an Adult Cat or Dog?

Right now at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter we have lots of gorgeous adult cats and dogs looking for homes.  Older animals are sometimes overlooked in favor of kittens and puppies.  Of course, no one will deny that the babies are adorable and that it is fun and gratifying to watch them develop their personalities as they grow up!  However, there are a lot of good reasons to consider adopting an adult animal from us, too! 

For instance, when you choose to adopt a full-grown pet, what you see is what you get.  Especially in the case of dogs, they won't grow any bigger than they already are, so you don't need to wonder whether they will still fit into your house/backyard/car, when they are fully grown.  Also, the personalities and habits of adult animals are already established, so when looking for the perfect pet, the staff at BAS or another shelter can tell you what type of dog or cat will fit your lifestyle and preferences.  Some of the adult animals do have some changes in personality when they go home, but it is usually a positive change--for example, we had one dog that was quite a barker at the shelter, but when he got home, his family reported he was really quiet!

Another reason for adopting an adult animal is that they may require less time to care for them than a younger animal.  For someone who works full-time or has an otherwise busy schedule, it might be less time-intensive to adopt an adult animal.  While all animals need a good amount of exercise and play, a puppy or kitten has much more energy and needs extensive exercise and play time.   Also, younger animals have many more visits to the vet, need to be fed more frequently at first, and need more time for training.  Most of our adult dogs and cats are fully house-broken and/or litter trained, or will be in a short time. Of course, accidents will happen occasionally, even with adult animals, but it is usually a much quicker adjustment when they come home than a young animal.  Additionally, it takes much longer to teach puppies and kittens basic obedience--not to chew shoes, or sharpen claws on the furniture, for example.  Older cats and dogs will also sleep through the night, which some kittens and puppies won't do in the beginning, just like human babies! 

You can teach adult animals "new tricks"!  In fact, it may actually be easier to teach them than a playful kitten or puppy.  An older animal tends to have a longer attention span, and isn't always making a game out of everything, the way a kitten or especially a puppy might.

So, when you are looking to adopt a new pet, keep an open mind about adult animals, and what kind of pet would best fit into the lifestyle of you and your family!  You can always speak to our shelter staff to learn more about what kind of a pet would be best, whether it be a kitten or puppy, or an adult cat or dog. 

Right now, the Bloomfield Animal Shelter has an adoption special through July 29th.  All adult cats and dogs are only $25, and this includes their spay/neuter, all shots, and microchipping.  We are located at 61 Bukowski Place, right off the Garden State Parkway Exit 150 North.  Please visit us any day from 1-4pm.  Telephone: 973-748-0194.  Email adoptatbas@yahoo.com.  You can also see pictures of our adoptive animals on Petfinder at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ517.html, or at our facebook page at http://on.fb.me/H2XtMn.