Is it OK to declaw my cat?

Yes.  Currently, there is a lot of emotional controversy surrounding this procedure.  The fact remains, however, that some cats cannot be trained from scratching furniture and some owners cannot tolerate this destruction.  Often times such owners will give these cats up for adoption or prevent them from having access to the house.  It is our opinion that declawing is a humane alternative that preserves the human-animal bond.  For more information, see Declawing and Its Alternatives.

I've found a stray dog or cat and I don't want to keep him.  What should I do?

Call one of the Houston Area Animal Welfare Groups to place any variety of animal or check out this additional list of Local Shelters and Animal Rescue Organizations.

I've found a wild animal.  Now what?

It's always best for wild animals to remain in the wild if at all possible. Do your best to determine whether the animal genuinely needs help before intervening. If you have to get involved, try to place the animal with a permitted person as soon as possible, and above all do not try to care for it yourself. Special knowledge and training are necessary in most cases to do the right thing for the animal you have found.  Texas Parks and Wildlife has made available a list of permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators in the state of Texas for your use should you find a wild animal in need of assistance.  Look here for more detailed information on orphaned wild animal care.

We're thinking about getting a dog.  What should we look for?

Look here for What Kind of Dog Should I Get?

How do I introduce my new dog to the other animal members of my household?

See Introducing Your Dog to Other Animals.

I'm going on a trip.  Should I take my dog or leave him?  If he goes with me, how should I prepare him for travel?

Check out Holiday Travel Planning: Dogs Coming, Going, or Staying and Air Travel With Pets.  Also, be sure to check for any dog/cat Import or Export Requirements for entering Texas or entering another state or country.

I'm planning on getting a new puppy (or dog).  Where should I look?

First, be sure you’ve decided that you can responsibly care for your new “pooch”.  You’re committed to loving this new addition to your family, and you understand that for 12 to 18 years you’ll be feeding, training, exercising, cleaning up messes, and solving problems associated with your dog.  Furthermore, you’ve done your research and you know what type of dog will fit your lifestyle.  You’re clear you need a quiet dog that won’t bark and annoy the neighbors, or a small dog that can travel with you, or a snuggling dog that will join you on the couch, or a gentle dog that’s good with children, or an active dog that will run or hunt with you.   Hooray!  Now how do you find your new dog?

Second, don’t be impulsive!  Buying a cute and fuzzy pup when walking unawares through the likes of a flea market, pet store or Wal Mart parking lot can be the recipe for disaster.  You need much more information about that pup than is available with a snap decision, and you may be buying an inferior puppy that’s come from a mass breeding facility or “puppy mill”.  Your better choices are reputable breeders, purebred rescue groups and animal shelters.  If you decide to get a dog from a shelter or rescue organization, they may not have information available as to the pedigree of your new family member.  However, a reputable organization will have screened the dog for health problems and temperament, and will counsel you as to a good fit for your family. 

Third, if you’ve decided to buy a dog from a breeder, find a reputable one.  Ask for a referral from your veterinarian, check with the American Kennel Club (www.akc.org) for local breed clubs or breed judges, and even attend dog shows.  Once you’ve made your list of breeders, how do you decide who to trust?  Follow these tried and true rules.  An “ethical” breeder is one who:     

·        Loves their pups and feels it’s imperative that they go to the best possible homes.  An ethical breeder interviews perspective buyers about their family and house, and they never sell their pups through a pet store.

·        Breeds one or two types of dogs, only, and keeps them in the house as part of the family.

·        May not always have puppies available, but will put you on a list for when the next litter is due.

·        Screens the pup’s parents for known genetic defects within that particular breed (e.g., hip or eye problems), and provides you with that documentation.

·        Spends time teaching their pups the basics of social interactions so that they grow up to be confident and well-adjusted.

·        Shows you around their home and where their dogs spend their time, and the environment is clean and well-maintained.

·        Wants you to spend time with the puppies, preferably during more than one visit, and explains their breed’s standards (traits)—positive and negative.

·        Shows you the pup’s parents— or at least the mother— and they are healthy and happy and without aggression or shyness.     

·        Offers a list of references of other people who have bought their puppies.

·        Feeds a quality “premium” diet.

·        Has a good, working relationship with a veterinarian and can provide a record of veterinary visits for the pup, vaccinations and deworming. 

·        Provides a written health warranty and a sales contract for the pup, and encourages you to bring the dog back to them if you can no longer keep the dog for any reason.