Thinking of adopting a pet? We’ll give you some information that will help you to make a decision and, hopefully, you can provide a rescue animal it’s forever home. We talked to Tiffany Chamblee, the Engagement and Outreach Manager of Bernalillo County Animal Care Services. She told us, “All shelters nationwide are bursting at the seams. We’re waiving fees, which include spaying or neutering, microchipping, and one year’s license free of charge. When you come into our facility, you'll sign in on a kiosk. If you're here for to look at an animal for adoption, you will walk through the facility and work with one of our animal care technicians to identify animals of interest and do introductions on those animals. Once you've identified an animal that you determine is the best fit, then you will go to our customer service desk where you will complete a small one-page adoption contract stating that you will provide humanitarian care to your new pet and that you'll provide them the veterinary care that they need and really just provide a good loving home for them.”
Before you make a trip to the animal shelter, however, you should do some research and think about what kind of animal is best for your situation. We asked Michael Melloy, DVM, for a veterinarian’s view on adopting animals. He told us, “You’re taking on a personal responsibility. If you’re adopting a dog and you're going to get one that is for life, and it’s not just on a whim, you do your research. No matter if they come from an animal control facility or if you buy one from a pet shop, know that you're taking on a responsibility. You should research the characteristics of different breeds to determine which is best for your family and living situation. Also, you should consider a training program for basic commands. That's for your safety and your dog’s safety.”
“If it’s a cat, you have a decision on whether it’s inside all of the time or if it’s allowed to roam outside. I personally recommend that it become a house cat that always lives inside. First, cats can substantially reduce the songbird population in your neighborhood. Secondly, there are dangers outside...traffic, fights with other cats, as well as the predators that sometimes come into the city...coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, and even owls.”
We asked Dr. Melloy about adopting senior animals. He told us, “As long as they're not suffering, I think that is a great thing to do. Not very many people will do that and have a big enough heart. A lot of times, the animals don't have a place, and people want the young dog or cat, and they can't deal with the sadness of losing them so soon, but I think that's really great. A lot of dogs and cats that are older, they're out there and they need homes.”
One thing that was clear when we interviewed Dr. Melloy was his conviction that there is an ancient and biological connection between animals and humans. He says, “I think it’s genetic that we have a connection, and I think that it’s really important to have a kinship with animals. It's a deep thing and it's something that we have a natural affinity for.”
Dr. Melloy pursues this bonding with his avocation of falconry, which he’s been doing for 40 years. He says, “The amazing thing to me is the bond that can be formed with human beings and birds of prey that you can hunt with. You take a perfect wild bird, and within two weeks, they’re completely bonded to you. It’s been going on for thousands of years.”
Dr. Melloy is a partner in two veterinary clinics: one in Albuquerque called Petroglyph Animal Hospital (505-898-8874) at 6633 Caminito Coors NW, and one in Rio Rancho called Coronado Pet Hospital (505-771-3311) at 4192 NM-528.