“I ended up adopting five dogs in six months,” Hilary Woodworth recalls. When her two children were young, she says, “My little girl started wanting our cats to play with her and she would run across the backyard and look behind her to see if the cats were chasing her and obviously they weren’t. So I was like, we need to get a dog that'll be a friend for her.” Inspired by her mother who had a penchant for caring for cats in their neighborhood, Woodworth knew adoption was the right choice for her family. “We adopted a dog named ‘Charming’… he was perfect, but all he wanted to do was sleep! So I started looking for another dog, and I thought it would be very hard to find a child-friendly, cat-friendly, housebroken dog, but there were tons!”
Since that first venture into pet adoption, Woodworth founded Charming Pet Rescue (named after that original pup) in 2015, a rescue shelter run out of her home for dogs and cats who have been living on the street, are abandoned, or are at risk in high-kill shelters. With all that experience, she’s become an expert when it comes to knowing what to consider before committing to adding a new pet to a family.
A puppy or kitten with a jaunty red bow around its neck under the tree may be a quintessential scene of Americana Christmas. But before you take the leap and add a furry friend as a holiday gift, there are a number of factors to consider to make it the best experience for both your family and the animal. After all, unlike other gifts, this one comes with years of responsibility included.
Pet Rescue Saves Lives
When you adopt a pet, you are not just gaining a new member of your family; you are saving a life. By choosing to adopt, you provide a loving and secure environment for an animal in need, and the reward is immeasurable. “I just can't imagine buying or paying money for a dog when there's so many amazing dogs in rescue,” Woodworth laments. “There are even puppies born in rescues–really sweet, amazing, adoptable dogs.” Woodworth also encourages prospective adoptive families to look beyond puppies. “A lot of people get a puppy because they think there's something magical about having a dog from puppyhood to senior,” she continues. “But an adult dog will bond with you immediately and amazingly.”
The Perfect Match
It's critical to select a pet that fits your lifestyle, home, and family. Woodworth gives insight into finding the right animal for your family: “I think it's important to know the personality of the cat or dog that you want. Because a lot of people go for a breed, but I wish that people would look for the personality because there are so many amazing, family-friendly mutts.” Take the time to visit rescues and shelters and interact with the animals so you can assess the size, energy level, and temperament of potential pets to ensure it aligns with your needs and lifestyle.
The Responsibilities of Pet Ownership
Bringing a new pet into your home is a lifelong commitment that merits serious consideration. Pets require love and attention — in addition to food, shelter, and a place to potty — so it's essential to be prepared for the time and effort it takes to provide a happy and healthy life for your companion. Understand the responsibilities of pet ownership, including feeding, grooming, exercise, and regular veterinary care. “If you're not ready to do all the puppy things for the first two years of the dog's life, you might as well adopt a calm adult who's already been through all of it,” Woodworth advises. Remember: a pet becomes part of your family and should never be considered disposable.
The Rule of Threes
Woodworth educates new pet owners about the “Rule of Threes:” it takes three days for a dog to adjust to a new location, three weeks to learn their new routine, and three months to fully settle in with your family and to feel at home. If you’re considering bringing a pet home during the holidays, carefully evaluate your plans and assess whether you have the capacity during the season to help your new pet adjust. Woodworth reminds families that, “one of the most important things to know is that it's going to take time even for the best dog in the world to acclimate to your house and to the people in your house.”
How to Help
Even if you’re not in a season of life to adopt, there are so many ways to get involved in supporting the life-saving mission of Charming Pet Rescue. Last year they placed over 1,000 animals and their annual vet bill was $250,000. They are set to exceed both those numbers in 2023, and this work cannot be sustained without the support of the community. Woodworth says foster families are the heart of the operation, and other volunteers keep the rescue operational by doing everything from caring for the animals to taking dogs to and from their vet appointments. Monetary donations are always welcome and help provide food, vaccines, and veterinary care for all the animals in their custody, but Charming Pet Rescue also gratefully accepts any in-kind donations. Is your cat not taking to his new food? Your growing puppy doesn't fit in her crate anymore? The rescue will take all used pet items, including medicine, collars, leashes, bowls, and even sheets, quilts, and towels. Finally, the rescue frequently posts about available dogs and cats on their Facebook page, and liking and sharing posts is one of the simplest ways to join the cause.
Woodworth understands that there is something magical about the bond between humans and their pets. “It's really good for children. Babies who grow up with dogs and cats in the house have fewer allergies as adults, and it builds their immune system. It teaches them compassion–that there are things besides yourself that need love and care, and it just teaches them to be gentle,” she says. The affection and loyalty of a pet create a profound connection that enriches our lives in ways we may not even realize until they are part of our family. “I think a pet adds so much warmth to a house,” Woodworth gushes. “At the end of the day, it's just so nice to snuggle up with your dog on the couch or in bed. They give you so much of themselves and it just warms a part of your heart that nothing else can warm like an animal.”
Visit charmingpetrescue.org to see the wonderful pets up for adoption and to learn how you can help them all find a forever home.
PULLQUOTE 1:
“I think a pet adds so much warmth to a house… They just warm a part of your heart that nothing else can.”
PULLQUOTE 2:
“I just can't imagine buying or paying money for a dog when there's so many amazing dogs in rescue.”