Advice from FURR
***FURR SAYS STOP! THINK! SPAY! NEUTER!***
Students - We urge students to think twice, three times, or more before deciding to get a pet. Your lives are just beginning with much uncertainty about where you will be in several years time. Now is probably not the time to get a pet who will be with you for at least the next decade. Many places around the country do not allow pets, or only pets of a certain size. What will happen to that animal if your landlord says that the animal must go...do you break the lease or get rid of the pet?
Everyone - Before you decide to get a pet, make sure
that you are ready for the responsibility. As a pet owner you will become
responsible for your pet's health, happiness, and welfare for the rest of its
life. Dogs often live 10+ years and cats can live up to 20 years old.
If you decide to get a pet: Spay or Neuter your pet!! The
one-time cost of fixing your pet will be worth not having to find homes for
unwanted litters and for the very real possibility that homes cannot be found
and the puppies or kittens will have to be euthanized. About 5 million
healthy cats and dogs under one year old are killed each year due to pet
overpopulation. Please Do Not Dump!
Also, if you are unable to keep your pet due to unfortunate circumstances (and
moving is not a good reason): Please do not dump your pet on
campus, along the highway or road, in a forest, or in some neighborhood.
Make an effort to find it a home. Plan on taking some time to find a loving home
for the pet who gave you so much love, loyalty, and devotion. Dumping a
loving companion (your pet) is not only inhumane but is just plain Wrong.
Please consult with the staff at OLHS (Oxford Lafayette Humane Society), or other rescue group if you
are considering getting a pet - they can counsel you so that you pick the right
pet for your home and lifestyle.