Calling All Big Dog Lovers: You'll Fall In Love With These Big Boys

Scrappy is an adorable fellow and can’t wait to meet you at the Humane Society of Broward County. Scrappy is a friendly, five-year-old, 72-pound fellow who loves to be petted and hang out with people. The volunteers and staff at the Humane Society of Broward County say he is affectionate, curious, and calm. If you’re looking for a walking partner… he could be perfect for you. A family with older kids might be best, he wouldn’t want to accidentally knock over any little kids. If you have a dog at home, a dog meet would be recommended. It appears Scrappy is not that into toys, he prefers to be where you are and rest his head in your lap. Thanks to our friends at Buy Fire Alarm Parts, they have kindly paid Scrappy’s adoption fee. Could you be the perfect family for Scrappy?

If a big feline is your thing than five-year-old Kimura (Kimmy) ID 674446 is a BIG lap cat, who loves attention and pets. She is good with well-mannered dogs, is talkative when she sees you, and she will do best in a home with kids ages 8 and up. Kimura is front declawed.

Preparing to Adopt
If you lease your home, check with your landlord before adopting to be sure you are allowed to have a pet and can afford all required pet deposits. Pets are sometimes returned because of lease restrictions and/or landlord’s disapproval of the pet chosen. This can be an expensive lesson since the adoption fees are non-refundable and being returned to the shelter can be a stressful experience for the animal.

Adopting a pet is not a one person decision. Make sure other members of your household are aware you want to add a pet and should meet the pet before you decide to adopt. Also consider:

• Does anyone have allergies?
• Are other members of the household, including children, afraid of animals?
• Are you expecting other members of the household to share in the care of the pet?

Another factor to consider is cost. The initial and on-going costs of a new pet can add up. These costs include: Adoption fees, Food, Grooming, Obedience training, Pet supplies, and Licensing.

Additional veterinary care such as diagnostic testing and preventative medication can add up in the future, so make sure to take this all under consideration prior to adopting. These costs can easily be $200-400 or more within the first few weeks of adoption.

Other Pets
The Humane Society of Broward County recommends that you do not immediately expose your existing pets to a new pet. Consider how you will manage an isolation period and be sure all existing pets are up to date on vaccinations and other routine health care before bringing a new pet home.

Facilitating positive pet-to-pet introductions will require some management on your part too. Not all pets are instant friends and may require temporary or intermittent separation to ensure a smooth transition. Some pets are happy to share their home within a week or two, others may take a month or longer to adjust. Our adoption staff will be happy to review steps to properly introduce your new pet to your resident pets.

Time commitment
All dogs and cats making the transition to a new home will need time to adjust to a new family and may require house training and behavior training to correct problem behavior. If you aren’t prepared to invest your time to teach your new pet appropriate behavior and help the animal adjust, you should not consider adopting a pet at this time. Positive reinforcement-based training is recommended for all newly adopted dogs and puppies.

Please make a lifetime commitment to your pet. Remember that the animal you choose has already been abandoned or unwanted at least once in its life. Dogs and cats may live 12 to 15 years or more. Your thoughtful consideration, preparation and commitment will help ensure a lifelong placement.

Supplies
Before bringing your dog, cat, or critter home, make sure you have the supplies to properly care for the newest member of your household. From toys and leashes to treats and litter pans, the adoption centers have a wide variety of merchandise available for purchase. Their knowledgeable staff can help you find the right products for your pet during the adoption interview process.

To meet Bella, Scrappy, Kimura, or any other pet and fill out the Pre-Adoption Application, please visit: www.humanebroward.com - Appointments are not necessary, so stop by the Humane Society of Broward County located at 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. The Adoption Department opens daily at 11:00 a.m. If you have questions, call: (954) 989-3977. Extension#: 6.