Joyce Moed | Features Samples

Boca vet: There's a shelter dog for every home
JOYCE MOED
Forum Publishing Group
October 14, 2009

One local veterinarian extended her family recently when she welcomed a four-legged friend into her home.

Dr. Kristy Lund, who owns Lund Animal Hospital in Boca Raton with her husband, Dr. Scott Lund, said that because October is Adopt-A-Dog month, there is no better time to bring a friendly canine home.

Lund's husband adopted a shelter dog last year, and the veterinary duo agreed it was time to give that dog a friend, stressing that when it comes to adopting a dog, shelters are the best option.

"If we all adopt from shelters, we'd solve the overpopulation problem," she said.

Lund said that a dog adopted from a shelter comes with less challenges than a puppy purchased from a store.

"You get a dog that you know the history," she said. "And if they are around 1-year-old, you know how big they are. If you get a puppy, you don't know what their personality is, or how big they will be. The only challenge is if they've been neglected, it will take some time and effort with them. From puppy stores, they are flown in from a puppy mill. They usually lack veterinary care. It's silly to buy from a puppy store. Go to a shelter, where they've been checked out."

Lund's new dog, a Japanese Chin mix named Vegas, has fit right in at the Lund home.

"The first day he was at the dinner table, and spread out on the couch," Lund said. "You can tell he's been in someone's home."

This may be due to the fact that today's struggling economy has brought more animals to local shelters, so the homeless pets available for adoption aren't just strays, they are pets who were living in homes with loving families.

"We've heard of so many people abandoning their pets," Lund said. "All the shelters are inundated. Every month should be Adopt-A-Dog Month."

Lund said that because most of these dogs belonged to families, the adjustment period for them feeling comfortable with a new family is very short.

"Most were in loving homes," she said. "There are plenty of dogs out there that the moment they see you they jump on your lap and wag their tails. There's a dog for every home in the shelter."

The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach is seeing an increase in homeless pets because of the economy. On any given day, the shelter has 120 dogs and 300 cats, said assistant director Heidi Nielsen.

"We've had people crying here in the lobby having to give up their beloved pet because their house foreclosed," Nielsen said. "Our area was hit hard. If people don't have homes, they don't have a place to keep their pets."

Although it costs about $355 per dog to make them adoption-friendly, which includes vaccinations and neutering or spaying, the dog-adoption fee is only $50, thanks to donations the shelter receives.

"Please come in and adopt a pet," Nielsen said.

For more information on Adopt-A-Dog Month, visit www.hspb.org.