Happy Adopt a Shelter Pet Day!

Written by: Emily Myers, Coach, Cat Ambassador Program

Right now we have a good time Remus, our cheetah companion canine, in addition to different adopted pets around the globe! Remus was adopted from certainly one of our native animal shelters, Animal Rescue Fund, again in the summertime of 2019. He has a vital job right here on the zoo: being a cheetah greatest pal! Cheetah companion canines function a surrogate sibling for solo cubs, taking part in and offering companionship as they develop. If you wish to be taught extra concerning the relationship between cheetahs and their companion canines, take a look at this weblog written by certainly one of my teammates: A Cat’s Finest Pal!

After we came upon Kris the cheetah was coming to us, we knew she would want a pet. Trainers within the Cat Ambassador Program visited the native animal shelter in quest of a really particular pet, and so they have been capable of observe a gaggle of adoptable pups taking part in collectively. Remus stood out immediately as a result of he was playful, resilient, and outgoing. Though Remus was the final of his siblings to get adopted, we wish to assume they saved the most effective for final! The remainder is historical past! Remus has now referred to as the Cincinnati Zoo house for nearly 3 years and nonetheless spends a while taking part in within the yard together with his cheetah.

Annually, 6.3 million animals like Remus enter animal shelters. As a result of each animal doesn’t discover a house, this, sadly, signifies that about 1 million of these animals will probably be euthanized. While you undertake an animal, you save a life! The Cat Ambassador Program has a historical past of adopting canines from shelters, and once we’re in want of a companion canine, we at all times attempt to decide on adoption if we are able to!

Along with Remus, we now have had 2 different companion canines adopted from native shelters prior to now: each have been black canines named Cali and Max. Do you know that black canines in shelters have a a lot tougher time getting adopted? Which means a disproportionately greater variety of black canines will probably be euthanized every year. There isn’t a proof to counsel that black canines are any totally different than every other canine, however typically they are often portrayed as “scary” or “vicious,” which after all will not be true. Cali and Max have been each nice at their jobs right here on the zoo, and now stay the luxurious retired life with loving households exterior the zoo.

Are you contemplating including a pet to your loved ones? Step one is analysis! Be sure to grasp the wants and prices related to sharing your own home with a canine or cat. You should definitely test native animal shelter web sites or attend native shelter occasions. Identical to Remus and Kris, it’s possible you’ll simply discover your new greatest pal!

Even in case you are allergic to animals (mockingly, I personally am allergic to home cats), there are many different methods to assist native animal shelters. You possibly can at all times donate cash for those who’re in a position, however among the finest methods to assist is by donating gadgets from a shelter’s want listing! More often than not, animal shelters have a listing of things that they’re in want of on their web site. Some widespread gadgets utilized by animal shelters regularly are paper towels, newspapers, blankets, and towels.

In the event you’re an animal lover however are unable to undertake a pet of your personal, an effective way to assist out (and get some critical cuddle time!) is by volunteering in your native animal shelter. Coincidentally, volunteering for an area animal shelter was how I obtained my begin within the animal world. Shelters are sometimes understaffed and want additional palms, and caring for deserted animals might be very rewarding- each for you and for them. And hey you by no means know, it’s possible you’ll simply discover our subsequent cheetah companion canine!

In your subsequent go to to the zoo, make sure to cease by the Kroger Cheetah Encounter– you may even get to see cheetah companion canines taking part in within the yard!

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