Finally, you’ve reached a point in your life where you’ve run out of excuses not to join the dog- or cat-owners club.
Maybe you’re single and looking for a furry housemate to increase your chances of running into your future spouse at the dog park. Or maybe you can’t placate your kids with that sorry-looking goldfish anymore. They’re right — you can’t cuddle a fish.
So, where do you start?
Make a visit to the Aurora Animal Shelter. Keep in mind, you’re likely to use the word “cute” more times than a woman ogling pictures of Ryan Gosling.
Those fur-ball kittens will tug at your heartstrings faster than they can bat their paws at a ball of yarn. The dogs aren’t any different — there are purebreds, mutts, puppies and geriatrics, and for anyone who has a pulse, each of them is more endearing than the last.
There’s the tan-and-black German shepherd pup staring up at you from behind the kennel fence with those big, chestnut-colored eyes. Down the way a bit is a gray, buff Weimaraner, with his rose-colored tongue hanging out of his ear-to-ear grin.
If you find yourself gushing about how adorable all the stray shelter animals are, stop. You’re doing it all wrong, says Cheryl Conway, spokeswoman for the animal shelter.
“You outgrow ‘cute’ really fast,” she says. “You have to know what you’re getting into.”
That means research, and the understanding that your pet will probably live longer than a Toyota Camry — and that’s a long time.
“Animals are a huge commitment, and you need to really closely examine your personal lifestyle,” Conway said.
For example, if your idea of fun is trekking up the face of a mountain, consider a husky or a Weimaraner, breeds with a high demand for exercise. If you’re a homebody living in an apartment, consider terriers, Chihuahuas or Corgis. But don’t rule out the big dogs like Irish wolfhounds, Greyhounds and Great Danes. “Some of the giant breeds are actually couch potatoes,” Conway said. “Even though they take up a lot of space, they aren’t as active.”
Maybe your work schedule is unpredictable and you’re out of the house for hours on end. In that case, your best bet is a cat, which doesn’t need as much attention and can do its business in a box. Conway recommends mixed breeds like domestic shorthair or longhair because there are so many that need homes. And don’t rule out cats if you’re planning on expanding your family or eventually getting a dog, Conway said. “With their varying personalities, there is a cat that will fit into any situation,” she said. Cats will also be just fine if you leave food out for them to snack on throughout the day. They tend to recognize when they’re full and not overeat, unlike dogs, Conway says. Just remember, cats can live up to 20 years. That spells out approximately a bazillion tins of Fancy Feast.
If the relationship doesn’t work out, Conway says the animal can be returned to the shelter and exchanged for another one. Think of it as an in-store credit.
If you’re in the market for a specific kind of dog breed, Conway says the Aurora Animal Shelter will note your preference and call you when that breed arrives. There are many purebred dogs and cats in shelters, she says.
But if your patience is akin to a 5-year-old’s, visit one of the dozens of breed rescues in the state. Staff at breed rescues are highly knowledgeable about each animal and they screen adopters more stringently than a public shelter would. They’ll also charge a higher adoption fee than a public shelter. “They really want to make sure their next home is their last home,” Conway said.
If adoption isn’t for you and your preference is to buy from a breeder, which is the priciest route, Conway suggests drilling the breeder with questions to make sure they’re reputable. A female dog should have no more than one litter a year, and the best breeders should be aware of whether the puppies they’re selling are up to snuff later in life. For example, Doberman Pinschers are prone to cancer, and Pinscher breeders should be tracking the rate of cancer in the puppies they sell.
Don’t get collector-crazy with your pets, though. Aurora allows pet owners to have a maximum of three dogs and five cats. Still ambivalent about what pet you want? Consider a mutt, who’s probably just as confused as you are.
Gimme Shelter
Aurora Animal Shelter adoption fees:
Under six months old:
Dogs: $68, Cats: $41
Between six months and six years:
Dogs: $47, Cats: $24
Six years and older:
Dogs: $35, Cats: $16
All adoptions require a $90 spay or neuter co-pay for dogs and $60 for cats.
Recommended reading:
The ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs, Chronicle Books
The ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats, Chronicle Books
Other area shelters:
Dumb Friends League
2080 S. Quebec St., Denver,
303-751-5772
Adams County Animal Shelter/Adoption Center 10705 Fulton St., Brighton.
303-288-3294
Cat Care Society
5787 W. 6th Ave. Lakewood,
303-239-9680.
Denver Animal Shelter 1241 W. Bayaud St., Denver,
720-337-1800
For information on various breed rescues in Colorado, visit allbreedrescuenetwork.com.