DOGS FOR ADOPTION: PICTURES/DESCRIPTION OF AVAILABLE DOGS;  ADOPTION POLICY; HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG
CATS FOR ADOPTION:  PICTURES/DESCRIPTION; ADOPTION POLICY
 

DOGS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION:
 

OUR ADOPTION POLICY FOR DOGS

Here at Sandwich Veterinary Hospital our adoption fee for dogs is $150.00.  This fee includes a physical exam, a fecal screening for parasites, vaccinations for rabies and distemper-parvo-corona, a heartworm test, and spaying or neutering if old enough.  This is approximately a 30% savings over our normal fees for these services.  This helps us ensure that you are getting a healthy pet with a good start in a new home.  Yet this is only the beginning of your new relationship; annual checkups, heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, obedience training, and an appropriate diet are all important factors in maintaining a healthy happy pet.

• We recommend puppies get vaccinated every three weeks until they are 16 weeks old for distemper-parvo viruses.  This is followed at 16 weeks of age with a rabies vaccination.  These vaccinations need to be boostered annually.  If you plan to board your pet or attend obedience classes, your pet will need a kennel cough vaccination that is boostered annually.  Yearly costs to vaccinate your pet for these diseases runs about $80.00.  If you have any questions about these diseases, please ask the veterinarian during the pre-adoption meeting.
• Heartworm disease is a mosquito transmitted parasite that lives in the heart and large vessels of dogs.  Mosquitos are prevalent here and we recommend year round heartworm prevention for this deadly disease.  Your pet will need annual heartworm testing and you have the option of flavored tablets given once monthly.  Prevention runs from $5-$7.00 per month.
• Fleas and ticks are also a main source of irritation for pets and their owners.  Many dogs have allergies which are worsened by flea and tick bites and these parasites carry several diseases.  There are many options to deal with this problem.  Ask your veterinarian.
• Diet and exercise... we have all heard that before.  These are important factors for your pet as well.  Most name brand foods are well balanced.  Avoid store brand foods.  Remember products with the same ingredients aren't always the same quality.  In addition to diet, exercise and training are BIG topics.  The most common cause of euthanasia is behavioral problems with pets.  Appropriate exercise and play are essential to the health and good temperment of your pet.  Consider obedience training if you are having trouble or are planning to adopt a large dog.  We can give you references to good facilities in the area.  Breed of dog and size affects temperment as well.  A large laborador isn't always the best choice for someone unable to physically restrain them.  Consider what you need a potential pet to be able to handle.  We can provide you with information and experience with dog breeds and help you make the best choice.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DOG FOR YOU!!
 

CATS FOR ADOPTION:
   

OUR ADOPTION POLICY FOR CATS
Adoption can be an extremely rewarding experience.  Yet before bringing your new pet home, please take a moment to think about what owning a pet means year to year.
 

Here at Sandwich Veterinary Hospital our adoption fee for cats is $100.00.  This fee includes a physical exam, a fecal screening for parasites, vaccination for distemper, a feline leukemia virus test (and an FIV test if an adult cat), and spaying or neutering if old enough.  This is approximately a 30% savings over our normal fees for these services and helps us ensure that you are getting a healthy pet with a good start in a new home.  Yet this is only the beginning of your new relationship; annual checkups, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and an appropriate diet are all important factors in maintaining a healthy happy pet.

·  We recommend kittens get two distemper vaccinations 3 weeks apart before they are 16 weeks old. This will need to be boostered annually.  If you plan for your kitty to be outdoors sometimes, there are other vaccinations to consider as well.  Most counties in Illinois do not require vaccinating cats for rabies.  However, if you plan to travel with your cat, or if your cat will be outside occasionally, you should consider vaccinating for rabies annually.  In addition to rabies, outside cats should be vaccinated for the feline leukemia virus.  Stray cats can carry this deadly virus without exhibiting clinical signs and transmit it to your pet.  This virus is untreatable and fatal.  Yearly costs to vaccinate your cat for distemper, rabies, and leukemia runs approximately $71.00.  Feel free to ask questions about these diseases.

·  Fleas and ticks are a major source of irritation of pets and their owners.  Many cats have allergies that can be worsened by flea and tick bites.  These parasites also carry other diseases and tapeworms.  There are many options to deal with this problem.  Ask your veterinarian to help you pick a product that is best for you.

·  Diet and exercise…we have all heard that before.  Unlike dogs, cats tend to eat throughout the day.  This leads many people to leave large quantities of food out continuously for their cats.  While many cats will self regulate their food intake, this can lead to obesity in your cat.  We often don’t recognize obesity in cats as soon as we do in dogs.  You should be able to feel your cat’s ribs but not see them and a large fat pad on the belly of your cats may indicate a weight problem.  Your veterinarian can help you choose a food appropriate to your cat and help give you ideas on how to combat obesity in your pet.

There is no way we can cover all topics with this article, but we hope this will give you an idea of what your pet will need year after year to be the best companion they can be.  You will be provided with pamphlet further discussing the topics above and will have a meeting with a veterinarian before your adoption is final.  Please ask questions!  We are happy to help!