TAKEAWAYS FROM A VETERAN VETERINARIAN

While deciding on whether or not an animal should be put down is sometimes difficult, deciding to adopt an animal doesn’t have to be.

Here is some of my advice to would-be human guardians of animal companions.

ADOPT, DON’T SHOP

Do not shop for animals. Instead, adopt a community Cat or Dog.

For instance, the domestic canine in the Philippines, also called the Aspin, is a wonderful companion. I myself am taking care of four in my hometown.

BOOK A VET APPOINTMENT

Bring your adopted companions to the veterinarian before bringing them home. That way, you catch any illness before it becomes serious, and if you have resident animals at home, you can screen for infections that might require prior treatment and quarantine.

DECIDE CAREFULLY

Make sure that you can commit to your animal companion for life. Do your energy levels match? Will you be able to care for your companion given your line of work, finances, and level of activity?

Animal companions are meant to be part of the family for life, so don’t make the decision lightly.

NEVER GIVE PARACETAMOL TO CATS OR DOGS

This is a throwaway tip that should be in every list of tips. Paracetamol is just too toxic for animals. In fact, one sign of acetaminophen toxicity in Cats is death. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol, but to be on the safe side, it’s best to steer clear of the drug.

GIVE ALL YOUR LOVE TO YOUR ANIMAL COMPANION

Last but not the least, all of the animals you adopt must be loved and cared for as long as they live. It’s the least they deserve.