wednesdav.ianuary 28.2004
news
the university daily kansan 5A
Pet adoption a big responsibility
Megan True/Kansan
By Steve Vockrodt
svockrodt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Amelia Murtagh, Lawrence senior, played with a dog named Marla from the Humane Society yesterday afternoon. Murtagh said she was planning on adopting Marla.
As a self-described animal lover, Lawrence resident Courtney Deutsch knew owning a dog was something she wanted to do.
Midge Grinstead, director of the Lawrence Humane Society, 1805 E. 19th St., said many of the students who came in looking for pets had not thought about all that is involved with pet ownership.
When she graduated last spring, Deutsch realized she was finally ready to take on such a responsibility. She doubts most college students could handle the commitment involved in owning a pet.
"I'd say only if you're going to be ready to take on the responsibility and if you're going to be available." Deutsch said.
Some students get approved, but many are less than truthful about whether they can handle the time and money costs, as well as whether their landlords will allow pets in their living quarters. Grinstead said.
Deutsch originally found her dog, Rowdy, after looking for pets in the area on www.petfinder.com. The Web site directed her to the Humane Society.
The Humane Society functions as a substitute for a pound in Lawrence. The city does not otherwise have a location for stray and abandoned pets. Grinstead estimates stray and abandoned cats and dogs make up 60 percent of the Humane Society population.
Adoption at pet shelters such as the Humane Society entails more risks than at traditional pet stores or breeders because a pet's history is usually unknown.
"Even with owner turn-ins, people are not honest," Grinstead said. "They try to rationalize that their pet will have a better chance at being adopted."
"I think we're not doing a good enough job at educating people on the life changing event that it is."
Midge Grinstead Director of the Lawrence Humane Society
Rescued pets at the Humane Society receive a temperament test approved by the American Humane Association.
The process involves testing the pets' reaction to humans and other pets to determine its level of aggression and its chances of being adopted.
Prospective owners also are subjected to a test.
Typically, about 2 to 3 percent of pets that are adopted at the humane society are returned by owners who realize they can't handle the responsibility. Last year the rate rose to its highest rate yet. 5 percent.
To reduce the chances of adopted pets coming back, the application looks into property ownership and work or school hours to gauge how available owners will be for their pets. The Humane Society also calls landlords to make sure the lease allows pets.
"We typically deny twice as many applications as we approve," Grinstead said.
The Lawrence chapter of the Humane Society return rate pales in comparison to the nationwide rate at 25 percent.
"Most of them were puppies." Grinstead said. "I think we're not doing a good enough job at educating people on the life-changing event it is."
Upon approval, a 535-adoption fee is mandatory, and Kansas state law requires adopted pets to be spayed or neutered. The owners can pick their own vet for the procedure that typically costs
around $60 for dogs.
Deutsch estimated the initial costs of owning Rowdy included accessories such as a leash, grooming, food and water dishes and cages. All together, the cost was more than $200.
Aside from costs, the main difficulty in owning the pet was having it adjust to the new environment.
Travel arrangements become difficult when Deutsch has to leave town to make sure her dog is
Otherwise, Deutsch has been very happy with the experience of adopting the pet from the Humane Society.
cared for.
Still, she insists students should think critically before deciding to adopt a pet.
"Not unless you are a big animal-lover and you've really thought about it," Deutsch said. "Don't do it on a whim."
Edited by Henry C. Jackson
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