Adopting a pet from a local shelter or rescue group can be a wonderful event, both for you and for your pet. Four of our seven permanent dogs are adopted from shelters and rescue groups. We also adopt and place in new homes, about that number annually. Here are five things to ask the shelter or rescue group up front to make sure your new pet will fit into your family.

1. Why was the pet relinquished? You need to gain information on why the pet is up for adoption. It might be due to a behavior problem, which if you are unable or unwilling to correct will result in an unhappy situation for you. Know the facts, and then you can make an informed decision and prepare to deal with the circumstances. Most behavior problems can be corrected, but you need to be prepared to deal with the problem up front. Most all pet behavior problems are due to our lack of knowledge, but may take time and certainly an insight into how to correct improper behavior.

2. Does the pet have any medical problems? Adopting pets with medical problems is fine, if you know the facts and make an informed adoption decision. Questions to ask: What medical problems does the pet have, if any? Are they long-term or lifetime problems that I have to treat? How much will it cost to continue treatment? Is the condition contagious to other pets or humans? What special needs do they have? For instance, my wife and I have adopted two pets that were paralyzed in the rear legs due to slipped disc. We bought them carts to ambulate and the care was intense and costly at times, but our rewards were worth the cost.

3. How old is the pet? There is nothing wrong with adopting an older pet, you just need to know the facts. There can be medical issues with older pets, and older pets are oftentimes “set in their ways” and may take special accommodation. An older pet with arthritis, for instance, is not good with young children who lean, push, prod and lay on pets. Someone who likes to take long walks should not adopt an older dog with arthritis or a heart condition. Certainly the veterinary care will be more costly on older pets, but then you don’t have to go through the puppy/kitten problems.

4. Is the pet good around children and other pets? Seems like a “no brainer” question, but you would be surprised how many adoption decisions are made on the spur of the moment. The pet is taken home, only to find out it will not adjust to children or other pets. Some large dogs, simply will not tolerate a small dog. Cats take longer to accept other new cats and some dogs and cats have had bad experiences with children and will not tolerate them. It is better to know before adoption than risk your child or small pet to a possibly nasty, but normal reaction from a fearful pet.

5. What is your return policy, should the adoption not work satisfactorily? Unfortunately, not all adoptions work out for many reasons. Asking the right questions is paramount to starting off right with your pet, and knowing your limitations for caring for a pet will prevent relinquishment.

Why miss out on the many positive benefits that pets provide us. Do yourself a favor and save a pet by adopting from a shelter or rescue group.

1. Purchase the necessary paraphernalia. If this is your first household cat, you need all the bowls, litter boxes, toys, beds, and scratching post. If you have other cats, it is still good to obtain new ones to reduce aggression towards the newly adopted cat.

2. Begin immediately with confinement to lower stress and allow some time before being introduced to the entire house, other cats or dogs. The cat’s body language will tell you when it is time to introduce other pets and expand outside the confined room. It will most likely not be the first day and may be longer.

3. Feed small amounts of food on each side of the door to the new cat’s isolation area if you have other pets. The proximity with the sounds and smells will be associated with a positive experience of eating for both the newly adopted cat and other household pets.

4. Hand feed for the first few days during the isolation. Do not leave food down; instead insist they take the food by hand. If they are rough in taking the food, pull back your hand or close it. Open slowly when they respond gently. The key is to reward gentle behavior. Then use your other hand while they are eating to stroke and massage the newly adopted cat.

5. If the cat is fearful or hiding, try providing special treats. If they will not accept food or treats from your hand, leave some on the floor and come back in an hour. However, remember that providing free food instead of hand feeding will slow the socialization and bonding.

Provided by Dr. Rolan Tripp of The Animal Behavior Network. Visit www.animalbehavior.net for more information.

1. Always have the pet examined by a veterinarian. If not before the adoption, then immediately afterward. If you can do so before you become emotionally attached to the animal, you might avoid a mistake that could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary services. Invest in a general health screening, especially when adopting an older pet, including a blood test to check the internal organs and overall health of the pet. Make sure the pet has the proper vaccinations, which can prevent a number of contagious viral and bacterial diseases. Also, have the stool checked for internal parasites.

2. Always do your homework before you go to adopt a pet. Not all pets are right for all people. Avoid adopting based purely on emotion or first impressions. Bringing home a pet that you can’t manage or isn’t suited for your lifestyle can make your family—and the pet itself—unhappy. Animals, especially dogs, vary considerably in temperament, activity level and sociability from one breed to another. Be practical and realistic in your approach: training may help, but will never completely transform the animal’s natural tendencies.

3. Be willing to make several visits before you choose. Don’t be in a hurry to adopt. Sure, adopting a pet is the right thing to do, but taking your time and getting the right pet is far more important. Take your time and wait until it is the right fit for you, the pet, your household and your lifestyle.

4. Choose a selection committee. With a family, it is especially important that you discuss what type of pet you will get, how old, what breeds are acceptable and generally what expectations you all have for the pet. It can be a wonderful learning and bonding experience if you take your time, do research in advance and make the selection together. A committee—even if it’s only two people—will also make better decisions. Make sure to get expert input: talk with knowledgeable people about your choices.

5. Be willing to consider a mixed-breed pet. Too often, mixed-breed pets are passed over in favor of purebred animals. The truth is, mixed breeds tend to have less congenital and hereditary defects, and may display excellent traits from a variety of breeds. Often, people who adopt these “mutts” find them to be more loyal and appreciative, with plenty of vitality and character.

Pet Airways is Officially Taking Reservations!

Now that spring is here and our thoughts float towards the warm days of summer, it’s time to start to dream about vacations and traveling around this great country. The United States is full of great places visit, but now you no longer have to leave your pet behind. You can take your pet along with Pet Airways.

If you think that you can fly with your pet sitting on the next seat, forget about it. Pet Airways is a pet only airline, no humans allowed, but don’t worry, you can send your best friend in comfort and safety and meet him/her there.

While you struggle with the airport hassle, security checks, $5 bottles of water, juggling the luggage, and the crowds, your best friend can be relaxing at the Pet Lounge, where its comfortable experience begins. Private accommodations (their own pet carrier), great food, water, potty breaks on demand, a wonderful Pet Attendant at its beck and call; maybe even an overnight stay at one of Pet Airways Affiliated Pet Lodges where your pet can network with other pets. Man oh man, it’s a dog’s life! (Did I mention breakfast in bed?)

It doesn’t get any better.

And Pet Airways is starting out in 5 of the largest cities (New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles) so there is no excuse not to find a great place to visit. There are literally thousands of great destinations within hours of every city in this great country.

And get this; Pet Airways is having a great Kick-Off sale on flights with their Anywhere, Anytime Introductory Offer of $149. For a limited time, you can book a ticket for this incredible low price. So put down the leash or rubbing against the scratching post and book your pet’s travel now.

Yep, you heard it right! Only $149 flies your pet in the main cabin with a trained and loving Pet Attendant to care for your loved one. No cargo here! Only First Class for your pet! Do you have cat fever and want to travel this summer? Visit the Pet Airways website at www.petairways.com

They’re ready to take your reservation.

Book soon, as the $149 offer will only last for a limited time.

Have a dog or cat? Must travel! Adopt that motto and you will truly rank as your dog or cat’s best friend.

One way to guarantee a fun, safe trip for your pet in a car – and in an airplane – is to ensure that his pet carrier is the right size and offers the right canine amenities.

Run down this quick checklist:

-Comfy blanket to provide warmth and cushioning on his joints
-Travel water bowl or bottle
-Spare identification on your dog and in the carrier
-In addition, be sure to pack some healthy treats, a favorite toy, spare leash and collar, travel bowls, any necessary medications and spare poop bags.

Pet carriers deliver the safest way to transport your dog or cat. Just like you, pets need to be safely restrained inside your vehicle. Select carriers that can be secured in place using the vehicle’s seatbelts to keep your dog or cat inside from shifting on turns or sudden stops. Cute as it may look, dogs hanging their heads out car windows risk eye injuries from speeding debris in the air.

Also, resist the temptation to place the pet carrier in the front passenger seat. You can be distracted from driving by being tempted to pet your dog and take your eyes off the road. Also, the air bags can severely injure your dog in a collision. The safest spot for your dog is inside a pet carrier in the back seat or in the back end of your SUV. When you arrive at your destination – or at pet friendly rest stops – you can dole out attention to your furry travel mate.

Fortunately, we at Pet Airways are happy to unleash some grrr-eat news regarding transporting your devoted dog or cat from Point A to Point B for air travel. When your pet checks in as a pawsenger on one of our flights, there will be a right-sized pet carrier awaiting him to be tucked inside before take off. So, the next time you’re ready to take a trip with your dog, select the airline that is true pet friendly, Pet Airways!

Arden Moore is a pet expert, best-selling author and radio show host who travels all over North America. Visit her website: www.ardenmoore.com

Keeping tabs on your tabby when you travel and pinpointing where your door-dashing dog may be is getting easier – and in some cases, going a little high-tech.

It goes without saying that all pets – whether they prefer to live a pampered life indoors or are tail-wagging and ready to join you as a travel mate – need to sport collars with identification tags that post the pet’s name and your phone number. Yes, even though your cat may vow to never step a paw outside, he could suddenly find himself in the outside world due to a loose window screen or a door inadvertently left open by say, the handyman. Some dogs with high-prey or hunting drives may slip off their collars on a walk in pursuit of a squirrel or the ice cream truck.

An ID tag should include your cell phone number so you can be reached quickly should you and your pet be separated when you are away from home during pet-friendly travel and stays at hotels.

Double up on the safety side by also booking an appointment with your veterinarian to inject a microchip into your pet in the shoulder region. This chip, about the size of a grain of rice, offers lifetime identification and contains vital info that can be read at animal shelters and veterinary clinics simply by waving a hand-held scanner around the shoulder area.

Don’t worry, this procedure is quick, virtually pain free and may not require your pet being place under anesthesia. The vet cost, depending on your locale, can range between $30 and $50. Some clinics offer special discount days, so be sure to ask to save a little money. In addition, the specific microchip company charges a nominal activation fee (under $20). Some companies donate some of that fee to animal rescue and recovery efforts.

You must enroll with the microchip company in order to activate the chip’s info. Sadly, nearly 40 percent of people forget to do this and all a shelter or vet clinic can detect is the presence of a microchip. So, please fill out the enrollment form the day your pet is microchipped.

Help for Houdini hounds has also gone high-tech. Just like you have GPS navigational systems in your car (to avoid making wrong turns or finding the closest sushi bar), there are bite-sized GPS systems for dogs that fit onto collars. If your dog leaps over the back fence or gets away from you on a trip, you can quickly locate him in real time using your laptop computer or cell phone.

No matter how cautious you may be, more than 5 million pets get lost or stolen each year. Currently, only 1 in 10 returns to their homes. Equipping your pet with these forms of ID can go a long way in improving the odds that you and your pet will be happily reunited. Don’t forget to include identification stickers on the pet carrier when you plan to travel with your dog or cat.

Sure, that puppy or kitten in the window is cute. Yes, they’re looking at you with pleading eyes. But that doesn’t mean you should take them home.

Will your potential cat require lots of grooming? Will she spend more time lounging in your lap or sprinting through the house, attacking dust bunnies? Will she be patient enough to deal with children?

Or, how large will your dog grow to be? Will he need to run for miles every day? Will he be likely to suffer from specific kinds of hereditary health problems? There are plenty of questions to consider before you snap on that leash and take your new pet home.

First, you should compare information on various breeds to know which kinds will be a fit with your household and your lifestyle. It’s true that there are an overwhelming number of breeds – there are dozens of cat breeds and over 150 dog breeds commonly recognized in the U.S. – but don’t worry; numerous books and websites have been written to help make this comparison relatively painless.

Make a list of the breeds that might be compatible with your family and use it as a guide while you check out pets that are available for adoption. Keep in mind, though, that general breed characteristics won’t guarantee the specific characteristics of an individual animal.

You’ll also find plenty of mixed-breed animals for adoption. Because these animals don’t conform to breed standards for behavior and physical characteristics, you’ll want to make a checklist of the qualities you’re looking for: Will your new pet need to be patient with young children? Get along well with other pets? Behave when left home alone for hours? When meeting potential pets at a shelter or adoption center, the people there should be able to tell you about the animals’ individual temperaments – be sure to ask lots of questions.

Also, think about whether you should adopt a full-grown animal versus a puppy or kitten. Little ones may be adorable, but they may also pose more problems. Will a member of your family be home to care for them until they can safely be left alone? Most shelter animals are full grown animals who have been around the block, experienced a few things, and may appreciate a good home even more.

If you were planning to buy a horse, of course, you’d have the animal examined first. For horses, a veterinarian’s inspection is normally expected before the sale, so why wouldn’t you do the same for a dog or cat? Having a pet checked out at the time of adoption can save pet owners a lot of time, money and heartache.

Yes, rescuing a pet should make you feel good, but before you let your heart decide, consider an inspection by your veterinarian to check the pet’s health. This is especially important with older pets. Many shelters have veterinarians on staff, so be sure to request a copy of any veterinary inspections that have been done.

It’s smart to do the inspection right away. Make it your next stop after the adoption. Otherwise your attachment will overwhelm any problems discovered.

Unfortunately, pet lovers tend to make adoption decisions with their hearts, not with their heads. Sure, that puppy in the window may be adorable. That kitty’s eyes may call out, “save me!” But often, by the time an owner finally gets around to taking their new pet to the veterinarian’s office, a bond has been formed; when they discover that their new pet has health issues that may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to treat, it’s too late to make a rational decision.

A veterinary inspection will let you determine your new pet’s overall health, make sure their vaccinations are up to date, learn about proper nutrition for your specific pet and any behavior problems that you might expect. It will arm you with knowledge.

Even if you end up deciding to adopt a pet who has medical or behavior issues, you’ll be better prepared to address the situation. Pets with health issues or modest behavior issues can be wonderful if you are aware and well-equipped.

Dr. Rolan Tripp of the Animal Behavior Network – May 07, 2009

The following excerpts from an article by Dr. Rolan Tripp of the Animal Behavior Network will greatly assist you in having a positive long-term relationship with your newly adopted dog.

Never use physical discipline. Dogs don’t hit each other and do not understand the behavior. Striking a dog will result in the wrong behavior as the dog ages. It causes a loss of trust.

Help the puppy to succeed. New puppies should be either on leash or confined when indoors. The leash is tethered to you as you move about the house. Take the puppy out every few hours to the toilet area. Use food or praise as rewards for correct elimination.

Keep accidents hidden. Don’t let the puppy see you cleaning up any accidents, since the human attention may be a social reinforcer of the habit.

Begin socialization early. Isolation may adversely affect the puppy. Enroll in puppy classes at 8 weeks of age or thereafter. Allow to meet and greet other humans and dogs as much as possible.

Day Care. Enroll the puppy in a day care program at least once a week between 3-6 months of age, then one day a month until two years of age to improve socialization, intelligence, exercise and reduce chance of separation anxiety later in life.

Begin “gentling’ exercises daily. A combination of handling to develop the puppy’s personality into a calm, trusting, friendly and compliant pet. It establishes a positive human leadership without fear or domination. You may want to give a small treat before and after each session.

As a veterinarian I am often asked “What age is my dog compared to human years?” This is especially relevant as dogs age or become “senior pets.” Dogs will age by several factors, but breed (or size) is the most important factor. Giant breed dogs age faster than small breed dogs for example. Other factors (just as with humans) can affect aging, such as: body weight, general health, exposure to toxins or high risk factors, diet and genetic predisposition.

The important age categories or changes are when a pet leaves childhood to become an adult and when a pet becomes a senior.

Dog Age Categories

• Infancy will last only a few weeks, until about 6-8 weeks of age.
• Childhood will last from 2 months until approximately 4 months for small breeds and 2-9 months for large breed dogs.
• Teen years again will also vary by breed, with small dogs lasting from 4-9 months of age and large breeds typically from 9-18 months old.
• Adulthood starts at 9-12 months for small breeds and 18-24 months for large breeds.
• Senior years can start as early as 7 for giant breeds and not until age 11-12 for smaller breed dogs.

For example: a 9-year-old Great Dane is a senior citizen, while a Chihuahua would need to be 12-14 years old to be a senior given good health and proper nutrition.

The following chart will help to determine your dogs biological age to human years.