Don't Let Him Go! Don't Give Up!

(Scroll to bottom of page for useful articles on Working With Your Pet)

The Woodlands Dog Park Club is not a rescue group, however, we are often contacted by people hoping either to find a home for their own pet or for a stray. This is the reason we have added this section to our website, in hope that it will give you alternatives to sending a pet to a shelter, where it may have very little hope of getting out alive. Currently the kill rate at Montgomery County Animal Shelter is between 65 and 75 percent. Other shelters in the Houston area are just as bad or worse.

  We hope for, and are working for, a future in Montgomery County that is NO KILL for so many wonderful animals. That day is not yet here.

First of all, know that the decision to bring a pet into your home is not about whim and momentary infatuation. You are adding a member of the family. You are adding a life.

If you have doubts of a certain sort … Will he shed? Will she chew? Can we afford a pet? Please do not get a dog. The answer to those doubts, simply, is, yes he will shed, yes, she will probably chew and, if you can't afford this life, it is not right to take it on.

A responsible owner will work through issues and deal with the demands and rewards of puppyhood. The joy of having a great dog can have times of trial and tribulations and yet much of that joy stems from working and growing with your dog through those challenges. It may not be easy. It may not be cheap. Expect the unexpected. Pet ownership is not inexpensive. The basic necessities, such as yearly vaccinations and vet exams, heartworm preventative, flea control, boarding or care when you travel, nutritious food and stimulating toys are a significant investment on their own. Should illness or other unanticipated factors arise, these unexpected costs can add up to more money than you may be able to afford. Do not be impulsive. Remember, this is a life that you are bringing into your family. It is not a mere 'extra' that suffers when schedules, interests or disposable income change.

Please thoroughly research any breed that you are considering. Every breed has its own temperament, energy level, health issues, needs and behavior concerns. Appearances are compelling but you need to find the right fit for your family, activity level, and habits. Spur of the moment decisions that lead to buying a breed you know nothing about often result in the poor dog/pup being turned into a shelter.

If, as you read this, you are already at the point of having issues with your pet that are frustrating enough to cause you to want to find another home for him, we have listed below some informative links that might help you resolve some of these problems and make it possible to keep that pet. Please also consider the following before giving up on a friend who has depended on you for its life.

1. Please spend the time and money to take your pet to a professional trainer. Everyone should take the time to take her dog through a training course or visit with a trainer whenever they adopt or purchase a dog. (Of course, our club is big on rescuing dogs/cats from shelters or rescue groups rather than purchasing one.) Oftentimes it is we who need the training as much as the new family member. 

2. If your pet is having problems such as housetraining difficulties, you might consider a visit to the vet. It could be as simple as a urinary tract infection and a course of antibiotics that will do the job.

If you are still determined that you must give up your pet, we suggest the following:

DO THE RIGHT THING! Make sure that he/she is completely vaccinated, heartworm negative and on a preventative, spayed/neutered. Contact a rescue group to help place your dog. EXPECT to foster your own dog while this process is underway. Rescue groups are very full and they are trying to save animals in shelters who are facing euthanization. But they will list your dog on their website (Petfinder.com reaches thousands of people daily). You can help the process by taking him/her to their offsite adoption day location. The rescue group will go into any of their own criteria but if your pet is not adopted that day, you will be expected to pick them up and continue the fostering process. This may take some time, but wouldn't you rather put a serious effort into knowing that you have not sent your pet into a shelter with a high mortality rate?

Many rescue groups are linked to our site…and you can contact them through these links.

IF YOU FIND A STRAY DOG:

HAVE YOU…

1. Contacted every veterinarian?

2. Checked to see if the dog/cat is microchipped?

3. Called local Animal Controls (Montgomery and Harris counties) to report a found dog/cat with complete description and photo?

4. Checked all the lost and found websites that are in the area?

5. Put Found signs in the area?

If you've done all that BUT still cannot find the owner and now you need to find the dog a home because you want to save it, but cannot keep it? Then, please, if you are able to, and if its temperament seems to allow reasonable peace among all household members, bring the animal into your home. Keeping health issues in mind, try to keep the dog separate until you've taken it for a health check. Next, have the dog vaccinated, spayed/neutered and checked for heartworm. Then contact rescue to help you place the dog and follow the same steps as you would if you were trying to re-home your own dog. By fostering this dog and going through a rescue group, you are saving a life. The Montgomery County Animal Shelter provides low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services to make this option very affordable.

We know that this can be difficult, inconvenient, an added cost but you will not regret it. After all, you are saving a life and maybe more (every dog that DOESN'T go to the shelter means a bit more time and space for those that do go, means a bit more space in the rescues that pull dogs from the shelter).

WE hope that the training tips in this section help you to cope with the demands of being a best friend and/or parent to your dog and allow you to retain your dog. Please don't give up!  Go to the dog park, meet others who will give you tips and a shoulder to cry on when Rover has chewed yet another pair of shoes… again. Learn from others about the best professionals in the area. Shared knowledge at the park is one of the great benefits of our dog parks. And remember, an exercised, happily tired dog is less likely to be destructive and loud and bored and your relationship will change considerably!!!  Please do read the safety tips and rules for dog park use in our website.

Good Luck and Remember to Hug Your DOG!!!

Laura McConnell

Just A Dog