Animal care starts with maintenance. The key to providing a healthy, happy home for your surrogate child, is to find out as much as possible about the breed. What type of disorders is this animal prone to contracting? How often should this animal be bathed? Are there any signs of behavioral problems you should notice? Does this animal need special care, if disabled?
Next, find a reputable veteranarian. Most veteranarians are accredited not only by their knowledge and education, but are also recognized by "word of mouth." Taking your family pet to the local clinic for vaccinations like Parvo, Distemper and Rabies are extremely important in adequate animal care. These immunizations are given at intervals from 6 weeks up to a year of age, then annually thereafter.
Now, are you thinking about becoming a breeder? Or do you simply wish to provide a happy, loving home for your pet? If not breeding, it would be an excellent idea to have your animal spayed or neutered. The pet population is so extreme that many, helpless animals are being euthanized almost everyday of the year.
Responsible animal care does not end there, though. One must provide shelter, a yard to play in or a kennel run, and leash & command training. Keeping nails trimmed, teeth brushed, hair brushed and weekly bathings would be a superb maintenance regimen. Proper diet and nutrition, along with daily exercise is absolutely necessary in good animal care as well.
Now that you've decided to adopt a new family member, you must also provide a healthy relationship. Pets, like their human counterparts, desire and need loving affection and attention; and lots of it. If you are ready to accept an animal into your life, responsible animal care begins with you.
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Animal Care