Pet adoption is a humane option

Families sometimes cannot or don’t want to take a pet after its original owner passes away.

With the eviction moratoriums ending and COVID-19 still on a rampage, we expect more pets to find themselves in dire straits, and it’s a heartbreaking situation. I try to imagine myself in the place of that loving family that feels the need to give up a pet because they themselves are facing difficulties. Or worse, I imagine how someone lying in bed on a respirator must feel if he or she has pets depending upon them.

We love and worry about our companion animals; and most folks do the best they can to take care of their pets because they consider them to be part of the family. While resources are available at local shelters and rescues to help keep a pet with its family, there will be times when that may not be possible and a pet must be surrendered.

Animals are traumatized when they go from a loving home to a new and strange environment, no matter how well they may be cared for. No one can replace the family that once spent time with them and loved them so well.

Our community can step up to prevent an overflow of animals going to facilities by providing a home for them. With Christmas approaching and some families considering adding a pet, there is no better gesture than to adopt one from a shelter or rescue group rather than purchasing. It’s among the kindest things we can do and the rewards are so great and ongoing.