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Misconceptions About Rats as Pets for Kids

3/13/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Rat wondering why he isn;t being picked up
When some people think about kids having rats as pets, they shudder. Many people are afraid of rats to begin with. So when they think of their kids playing with them, it gives them chills. As someone who has been around rats and even owned one, I can tell you honestly how silly these misconceptions are. Sure you don't want your kids playing with wild rats. But domesticated rats are some of the absolute best pets for kids. I recently wrote an article about why rats make good pets for kids. I was honestly surprised at all the misinformation from both public and private respondents regarding that particular article.

Aren't rats dirty?

If you are talking about rats who live in the sewers and elsewhere in the wild, you may be quite right. However, domesticated rats that become pets are actually some of the cleanest animals you can come across. They spend a good portion of the day grooming, have a shiny coat, and have a natural scent to them that is almost like a perfume.

Kids catch diseases from rats, right?

While rats can and do spread disease, typically any diseases that spread from rats to humans would occur in wild rats. There can be exceptions, but in most cases, domesticated rats are not as likely to spread disease to humans as is often thought. Because of the disease spread by wild rats, domesticated rats get a bad reputation they don't often deserve. It is in the best interest of your pet rat and your family to ensure your furry rodent family member gets regular check-ups. But your vet will probably tell you the chances of catching anything serious from your pet rat are fairly low.

Rats cannot give affection, like dogs, can they?

Because rats are so small, one might think they can't be very affectionate. Can a rat curl up in your arms and fall asleep? Can a rat snuggle? Do rats learn their names and come when you call them? Yes as the answer to all of the above and more. When one of my kids adopted a rat, the very first day, he learned his name and even snuggled with both of us. By the next day (and from then on), each time we went to his cage he was already at the top waiting before we had even finished opening the door. As soon as the door was opened, he'd hop right out, ready for some fun. Jack Frost (the rat) spent more time out of the cage than in and was very loving. He really enjoyed interacting with humans and played an active role in the family.

Rats are creepy and might bite my kids, right?

The creepiness of a rat is usually based on years of misconceptions passed from generation to generation. There is also a great deal of negativity about rats in television and movies. Most likely, your rat is not going to multiply into thousands by himself and attack your kids in the middle of the night. Rats are also very docile and generally only bite when threatened or when they smell food on someone's hands. Washing hands before handling the rats and being gentle with them will help prevent biting. Our rat never bit anyone once or even attempted to. He was very affectionate and had not an ounce of aggression in him.

Won't a rat stink up my kid's room?

Another big misconception about having rats around kids is that they stink. Just like any other caged animal, provided you or your child is cleaning the cage, a rat is not going to stink up the room. As previously mentioned, rats are unique in that their natural scent is often described as perfume-like. It is a very pleasant odor to many. You or your child should be cleaning the rat's cage at least twice per week or as often as needed. Soiled bedding areas can be scooped out and replaced with fresh bedding in between thorough cleanings.

*This article is based on the author's personal experiences and is not meant to serve as medical advice nor replace the advice of a licensed professional. Always consult your licensed pediatrician for your child's healthcare and your licensed veterinarian for matters pertaining to the health of your animals.

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Adopting a Family Pet in Englewood, Colorado: The Wheres, Hows, and Whys

3/11/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Pokey
Your little girl comes to you with big puppy dog eyes and excitement in her face. It's unmistakable! You know what she wants - a pet. Whether your family is looking to adopt a cat, dog, rabbit, or other animal, there are many things you will need to consider. Is a pet right for your family? What type? Where can you adopt a pet in Englewood, CO?

What is Your Family Routine?

First and foremost, you need to see if proper pet care will fit into your family's daily routine. Is there time to walk a dog? Would said dog be included in trips to Englewood parks with the kids? Time to amuse a cat with a string of yarn? Time to brush and groom? Would a pet have plenty of time with family members for love and care or would they just be an afterthought or another cool object your child will later ditch for something else? If it's the latter two, you can scratch getting a pet off your list.

What are Your Reasons for Wanting to Adopt a Pet?

Does your family just want a particular pet just to say you have one - or do you have a genuine interest in bringing in a new family member. Cats and dogs (and any other animals) are not toys. They are living creatures with feelings. If your reasons for having them don't include providing a loving, caring home, your family shouldn't be adopting a pet. It's alright if one reason is that they are cute. But don't forget that a new pet is the same as a new family member.

How Responsible are Your Kids?

Can you trust your kids to take care of a pet properly all the time? If not, will you be doing it? Pets are a big responsibly. Yes, they are cute and cuddly and playful and fun. But, they are also a ton of work when cared for the right way. If you adopt a pet, can your family handle the responsibility? If you have any doubts, it's much better not to adopt than it is to take in a pet that may later end up in an Englewood shelter. That's not fair to the pet - and it's also not fair to your family.

Can You Handle the Expenses?

In addition to the adoption fees, there is also the constant fee of food, treats, toys, and more. Don't forget to add vet bills into your budget too. Just like your kids need to go to the doctor regularly, so do animals. If by chance, something unforeseen happens with their health, will you be able to afford medicines, surgeries, or whatever else it may take?

Just like you probably calculated expenses when you brought a new baby into the world, you need to do the same with a pet. If you are already scraping to get by now, it's best not to bring a pet into your home. Doing so would possibly be like taking food from the mouths of your kids and it's also not fair to bring a pet into a situation where each day is unsure. Love them from a distance until your financial situation (and other factors) allow better care.

Do Your Kids Know How to Treat Animals?

If your child is the one going around pulling the tails of other people's cats, he needs some instruction before you bring an animal into the home. Even if you have not seen evidence of the kids mistreating animals, it's always a good idea to have a talk about proper animal care. Many pet shelters and stores offer instruction to families looking to adopt a pet. This is to ensure that everyone knows what is good for a pet and what is not.

Where is the Best Place to Adopt a Pet in Englewood, CO?

Animal shelters are generally the best place to adopt pets. Why? You are rescuing an animal that may not otherwise survive. Most animals in shelters have been rescued from sort of unfit situation. Pet shelter animals generally come with their vaccinations and are often spayed or neutered. Some will even microchip your pet.

All of these things would cost extra time and money and they are part of what you would need to do anyway - outside of the microchip. That's obviously a personal choice. The benefit to having one is that if your pet is lost and turned into a shelter, they can scan the pet and know you are the owner. However, some people do not like to have a device implanted in their pet - and that's fine too. It's a personal choice.

Animals for Adoption in the Englewood, CO area

Animal Rescue and Adoption Society
http://www.arascolorado.org/
2390 S. Delaware Street
Denver, CO 80223
Phone: (303) 744-6076

Denver Dumb Friends League
http://www.ddfl.org/
2080 South Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 751-5772

Colorado Animal Welfare League
http://coloradoanimalwelfare.org/
PO Box 1071
Englewood, CO 80150
(720) 515-CAWL(2295)


*I originally published a version of thisvia Yahoo Contributor Network
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Are Shelter Pets Safe for Tweens?

12/6/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Picture
When looking for your tween's first or additional pet, an animal shelter may not be the first place you think of. Should it be? Are shelter pets dangerous for kids? After reading my recent article, Teaching Kids How to Respect Animals, several readers questioned me about one aspect. I mentioned how my kids and I visit the shelters regularly and own adopted animals. Readers wondered if kids could be in danger around shelter animals. Are shelter pets safe for tweens?

Will shelter pets give my kids diseases? Most illnesses that a pet would have are not transferable to humans. However, some definitely can be. The good thing about adopting an animal from a shelter is that they have generally been checked out by a veterinarian, as well as received any necessary vaccines. Talk to shelter personnel to be sure your tween is choosing a pet that has been examined and vaccinated. While this of course won't prevent every issue, it will help. Did you know that many of the animals that come from pet stores have not had veterinary care as thorough as some in shelters?

Can't shelter animals be violent toward my tween? Before animals are ever able to be put into adoption status, they must pass both physical and behavioral tests. If an animal is aggressive upon entrance to the shelter, some shelters turn them away. Others give them training to help them overcome behavioral issues and become suitable adoption candidates. Just like any other animal, they are still animals and no method is fool-proof. However, it stands to reason that animals who are upheld to certain standards will likely be proven more safe than those who aren't.

Don't shelter animals come from the streets? Are they feral? While some shelter animals have in fact been strays, not all of them are. Also, not all stray animals are feral. Trained professionals evaluate the animals to see which ones make good candidates for adoption. Feral pets can be domesticated. But it takes extra attention. A feral animal is very highly unlikely to be adopted out to your tween as a pet. Instead, that animal may be placed into a trained foster home until ready to be placed. Some may never be placed. This is also only true if the shelter even accepts feral animals. Some do not accept animals in this condition.

What if the shelter pet came from an abusive home? Not all animals from abusive homes are going to be aggressive or otherwise difficult for a tween to care for. For instance, one of the hamsters our family has adopted came from an abusive and neglectful home. This hamster belongs to my tween. At first I was the one to handle him just be safe. But with love and care, he is as loving as (if not even more loving than) the other hamsters. Not only do my weens play with him, but the younger children do as well. An animal from an abusive home can sometimes mean double the responsibility. Safety should always come first. But an animal's previous situation doesn't necessarily have to mean they won't be a good pet for tweens.

How do I know if my tween should adopt a shelter pet? This decision is just like any other pet adoption decision. Be sure your tween is ready for the responsibility and knows how to respect animals. Talk to shelter staff to figure out which pets match your child's personality. Have your tween interact with potential pets to find one that fits in with the family. When your tween meets with the pet, it will become obvious which one is a good choice, based on that, as well as a professional evaluation. Pet adoption is similar to child adoption in that the decision is based upon both what is good for the animals as well as the potential family.

Before taking any animal into your home, always consult with a trained professional first and be sure your family has the proper resources and knowledge.


*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Animal Shelter Adoption Myths: Puppies & Kittens are Unavailable

6/27/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Picture
Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved
With all the untruths out there about choosing pet adoption/rescue over shopping for pets, one of those I am most confused by is the myth that babies can't be found. Having rescued many puppies and kittens over the years, as well as visited many shelters and having been involved both directly and indirectly with rescues, I know firsthand that puppies and kittens are very common in the shelter setting. This can be especially true in the springtime when nature bestows these wonderful gifts upon the most animals.

To figure out which shelters have younger animals available, try using a service such as PetFinder.com to seek out a specific age group. Kittens and puppies can generally be adopted out once they are 8 weeks old. Therefore, that could be a good starting point.

Not all shelters and rescues will list the younger animals, as those can tend to go faster than allows time for a website listing. Because of this, I recommend visiting in person if you are having trouble finding information on younger pets online. This could also be one of the reasons this myth gets spread.

If you are interested in tougher cases, there are often mama cats and dogs with their offspring in the backrooms of shelters and rescues because they cannot be adopted out and do not have a foster home. These animals are considered special needs and may require a temporary foster period and rehome of some or all of the babies before final adoption of the mother.

Remember that just because an animal is not listed online does not mean that animal does not exist within a shelter or rescue facility.


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