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Wednesday, May 10, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Paw
Prints
Jodi Schneider McNamee
Columnist
Adopting a
special-needs pet
Special-needs pets are
among the most challenging
for shelters and rescue groups
to adopt out, and many never
find a loving home.
There are thousands of
special-needs dogs and cats
across the country waiting
for their forever homes. And
most of these pets face eutha-
nasia if not adopted.
A survey, conducted by
Petfinder, found that pets
with special needs often wait
four times longer than aver-
age to be adopted.
These dogs and cats
are overlooked because of
their age, medical needs, or
behavioral issues — includ-
ing animals who were vic-
tims of abuse. But a missing
leg, blindness, insulin-depen-
dence or emotional scars
make these furry friends no
less lovable.
Did you know that spe-
cial-needs pets still have love
and devotion to give, and
they can adapt to their new
homes and lifestyles better
than you think?
These pets are often over-
looked because potential
adopters don’t know what
their conditions involve.
They may have legitimate
concerns about extra medical
or training costs.
These worrisome impres-
sions can be easily overcome
through research, speaking
with shelter staff who are
familiar with the animal, and
consulting a veterinarian to
better understand the pet’s
actual needs.
In animals, the defini-
tion of special needs is fairly
broad, including physical
and mental disabilities. Some
pets with severe, debilitating
cases of post-traumatic stress
disorder or anxiety from past
trauma may be considered
special-needs. Other types
of special-needs pets include
amputees, the deaf and blind,
and those with chronic ill-
nesses like FeLV, diabetes, or
cancer.
Still others may have
social or behavioral limita-
tions, including severe sepa-
ration anxiety or extreme
situational fears. Previously
abused pets may fall into this
category.
Behavioral issues are
often managed through con-
sistent and positive train-
ing. However, some animals
with physical limitations can
adapt surprisingly fast to
their circumstances. A three-
legged dog will still run and
play, while a blind or deaf
pet will learn to rely on other
senses to navigate his home
and interact with human fam-
ily members.
A special-needs pet is not
defined by his circumstances,
and is not aware of how he
may be different from other
animals of his kind. He is
above all a cat or dog – a
message often lost on poten-
tial adopters.
Although often requir-
ing some type of dedicated
care or training, most spe-
cial-needs pets are just like
any other pet. For example,
a blind animal relies on his
other senses — hearing and
smell — to learn about and
navigate his environment.
So, a dog or cat who loses
key senses with age, such as
sight, often show no signs of
a disability until his pet par-
ent rearranges the furniture
and then the animal seem-
ingly becomes lost in his
own home.
Your special-needs pet
deserves the same loyalty
that he gives uncondition-
ally to you, and the best thing
you can do beyond opening
your heart and home to him
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PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE
Autumn was born deaf and ended up blind — a special-needs dog.
is providing regular veteri-
nary care.
Before adopting your
special-needs pet, meet with
your veterinarian to learn
about the type of care that
will be required at various
stages of your new furry
friend’s life. Knowledge and
preparedness will make for
an enriched lifetime with
your pet, and will help lessen
surprises so that you can be
prepared for any changes in
your pet’s condition.
Remember, not every pet
parent is suited to adopt a
special-needs animal – lots of
time, patience, and expense
are required. Many shelters
are willing to cover the life-
time costs of these pets.
Regardless of how a dog
or cat became a special-
needs pet — by being born
that way, illness, accident,
the aging process or at the
hands of an abuser — they
have a lot to teach us about
resilience and love without
judgement.
If you’re considering pet
adoption, ask at your local
shelter about special-needs
pets or find a specialized res-
cue in the area.
Happ y Moth er’s Day
to all th e amazing
moms out th ere!
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