Friends of Pets Klamath Basin Cats & Dogs for Adoption

It seems as if for years people have been trekking to the Klamath Humane Society or standing in front of retailers stores to give away or get rid of unwanted puppies and kittens. Wanting to believe that the outcome for either of these scenarios is rosy is one thing; the reality of what actually happens is another. Consequently, we urge owner responsibility and ask owners to take the time to find good homes for their pets and not use shelters or retailer locations.

Animal shelters are overwhelmed by the nature of their business and your adding an additional four or six only makes it worse. Will your kittens and puppies find homes through the shelter? According to the data from the Klamath Humane Society, it is not likely. In year 2002, 90% of their felines that entered died. Dogs had more success than cats. On October 27, 2003, the KHS destroyed all of their cats trying to overcome feline distemper. They generally do not treat for illness, are prone to crowding, and have few cages. The KHS takes in approximately 300 animals per month!

What should lend more doubt to their ability is the fact that they will not disclose how many they take in and how many are destroyed. It is common thought that they do not want you to know. What the KHS may say is “Sure, bring it on out. We will find a home.” Or, if the cat is feral, you may be given the promise that they will give it to a farmer for a barn cat. What they do may be another because they do not truthfully disclose the outcome for the pet.

Giving kittens or puppies to strangers by standing in front of retail stores is not the answer either. Cheap people are not about to pay for veterinary care when needed. Puppies and kittens often need care because they get sick just because they are puppies and kittens. They also need vaccines and to be spayed or neutered. They need a good home which means the person will provide care for them.

These are tips to help you find safe homes for your litter.

1. Advertise in the Nickel or Herald and News. The Nickel charges $5.00 for 15 words. If you are placing an abandoned litter of kittens, the Herald and News will advertise for free. Advertising can work! Take the time!

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2. Charge for each member of the litter, whether it be $10.00 or $20.00. Never give them away for free. People who are unwilling to pay for a puppy or kitten will most likely not follow up with any health care.

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3. Make sure the littermates are altered before going to homes or that concrete plans have been made by the new owner to do it. Never accept as good enough “Oh, yes, of course I will have them spayed.” Remember, people are skilled at procrastinating and making false promises. If it is a kitten, you may choose to require them to come to our Store and Adoption Center to purchase a spay/neuter certificate before releasing the kitten to them. Do not place a kitten in a home based on their verbal promises to give good care. Make them show you a spay/neuter certificate BEFORE they receive the pet.

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4. Questions to ask: Ask a lot of them! Don’t be shy! Think of more!

A. Who is the pet for? If they say it is for their 2 year old, then decline placing the pet in the family. If the pet is to be a family pet, loved by all, then you are on the right track.

B. Why are they wanting a pet? They should be able to provide a reasonable answer.

C. Who is their veterinarian? If they have none and express no interest in having one, then that is a poor sign. If they are established with a vet, it is a positive. Ask their permission for you to call the veterinary clinic and confirm they are a client.

D. Do they have other pets? We generally limit the number of cats in a household to normally 3 cats. Be sure to question particularly if they have dogs that may be cat aggressive. Oftentimes the breed of the dog is the indicator. Is the dog friendly to cats or chained outside? Is the dog(s) used to other pets? Is the dog(s) dominant in personality. Are they all altered? Do they come into the house?

E. How many pets have they had in five years? If the number is high or if some were taken to the shelter for behavioral problems, then we suggest not trusting the situation and declining adopting. If the number is high, ask what happened to them?

F. Are they knowledgeable about the breed, such as size, temperament, single-owner, activity level? Do they know what it will be like when it is no longer a puppy or kitten? Or have they not thought about it?

G. Do they they rent or own? If they are renting and already have 5 pets, it likely will be a family you want to decline. People move and when this family moves to another rental they may have to shed some of their pets to meet a tighter rental agreement.

H. Do they have a fenced yard? Does a close neighbor have a dog- or cat-aggressive dog?

I. Do they have the personal time to properly care for and love the pet?

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5. Meet the family. When considering a placement, require the majority of family members to visit. We advise against one family member picking up a puppy or kitten and taking it home as a “surprise” for the family. It goes better for the pet if family members can agree at the outset. FPKB does not permit cats being adopted as a gifts for others or adopting one for someone else, say an uncle who lives out of town. The individual who will be the owner must pass our adoption policies and procedures.

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6. Watch how they handle the pet? Is it loving, tender, understanding, or uncomfortable?

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7. We do not do “same moment” adoptions. We slow the process to encourage the individual to truly bond with a pet. Some can come to that point in an hour, some require two or three visits. If you are “selling” you may want to look differently at this point.

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8. Establish a minimum age. FPKB does not adopt to anyone under 21 unless they are accompanied by a parent..

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9. It is Your Choice! We urge you to feel the power of being the ONE who selects which family your loving pet will go to. Do not feel pressured to give one to anyone who calls. If you turn someone down because they did not seem the right family, remember the phone will likely ring again with someone better on the other end.

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10. Do not be in a Rush! Take your time and be thorough. Remember, your decision will affect the fate of the pet in your care. At the onset, be prepared to tell yourself what you will do if all the puppies or kittens are not easily placed. Will you keep them? Advertise again? Many mistakes are made regarding placement when owners are tired of the work and want them out of the house as soon as possible.

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Please call us at (541) 850-0750 or e-mail us for more adoption information.

Friends of Pets of Klamath Basin ~ Phone: 541-850-0750 ~ Email pets2@kfalls.net
Located in Klamath Falls, OR