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Cute, furry and so fun to cuddle with, City Saheli wants to sing you the praises of pet ownership. While a new boyfriend may buy your diamonds, a new baby may fill your home with toys and tiny clothes, and a new roommate may prove to be surprisingly efficient at cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, a new pup or kitty will fill your home with unconditional love. Pets often become part of the family and give you a new found appreciation for caring.
Some of you may have grown up with cats and dogs but many of you may be considering first time ownership and the prospect can seem daunting. City Saheli has compiled a checklist of items to consider and places to gain information as you embark on this life-changing journey.
Where to find furry friends?
There are literally thousands of dogs and cats for adoption through the ASPCA. Most of these pets are already housebroken and many are neutered or spayed which will save you money and time.
If you are committed to the idea of raising a puppy or kitten to adulthood, fret not, there are a plethora of rescue sites broken down by breed that will enable you to select the tiny paws that best match your tiny abode. There are also a number of breeders in the tri-state area that offer pricey pooches of show quality.
Avoiding using pet stores since they amass the bulk of their pet supply from mills. Mills are facilities that churn out puppies and kittens for the express purpose of profit. Aside from the moral issues of buying a mill-born animal, there can also be additional costs with a mill-born since mill-born animals suffer from a higher number of genetic and chronic health conditions.
Find a veterinarian!
Before you even bring your fluffy new friend home, make sure you find a vet you trust in your neighborhood. Here are a few of the animal hospitals in Manhattan that can refer you to vets best suited to your needs:
Tribeca-Soho Animal Hospital: http://www.dvmhospitals.com/
Greenwich Village Animal Hospital: http://www.gvah.com/
Animal General (UWS): http://www.animalgeneral.com/
University Animal Hospital (UES): http://universityanimalhospital.com/
Questions for Your Veterinarian:
Do you take pet insurance?
Most vets operate on a cash-only basis, so before you purchase insurance for your new love make sure it’s worth the monthly cost.
What type of off-hours emergency services does your office provide?
What animal specializations/certifications do you have?
What vaccinations does my new pet need? How often should these be administered?
What are my pet breed’s predisposed health conditions? How can I prevent these?
When do you recommend I spay/neuter my pet?
How often should I get my pet groomed?
What type of food do you recommend for my pet?
What medications/vitamins do you suggest I give my pet to build immunity?
Get Pet Supplies
We recommend micro-chipping your fuzzy pal to ensure that in the horrific event that they get lost, they can make their way back to you. All city animals should have a pet collar with a tag that lists your name and phone number at the very least.
Depending on the size of your pet, we also recommend a pet carrier. A sturdy, plastic one is preferable but we completely understand your desire to supplement this durable option with a stylish pet bag. There are dozens of boutiques in the city, but for the staples we suggest Petco or Petsmart.
Of course, you will want to pick up food and treats for your new companion as well as some chew toys and squeaky toys to keep them amused while you aren’t home.
If you have an animal that needs grooming, you will want to investigate grooming spas or purchase materials to groom your pet at home.
The Extras
- Sign up for Puppy/Doggie Obedience School (www.petco.com)
- If you want to dress your pet for Halloween (or the winter) the above mentioned megastores have plenty of options but we also like Target (www.target.com) and GapKids (www.gapkids.com).
- Join a dog/cat group online to learn more about your pet’s breed. (www.meetup.com)
- Locate dog runs (http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/dogruns) in the city where you can take your pooch to play and meet fellow dog owners. These people can serve as a great resource for dog walkers, vets,
- Research pet boarding facilities near you for when you have to be away for days. City Saheli encourages making lots of doggie and kitty owner friends, so you can help each other out with pet-sitting instead of relying on a service or boarding your precious pet.
Above and beyond everything you can do for your new pets, take time to enjoy them. They will shower you with love and affection, be sure to return the favor.
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