thedrifter
07-28-08, 09:17 AM
No walk in the park-Military pet ownership means sacrifice for, understanding of four-legged friends’ needs
7/25/2008 By KERRY MCKEEL , Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. — When it comes to pet ownership in the military there are certain factors to consider to ensure you and your feline or canine companion are lifelong, faithful friends. While a pet can be a very positive addition to military families, the adoption of a pet can also be the result of an impulse or emotional decision. It’s important to understand that choosing to own a pet is a commitment that should endure that animal’s lifetime – through a marriage, a new baby, a divorce or moving. When it comes to owning a pet, a little foresight and proactive planning can benefit both you and your four-legged friend.
Fido or Whiskers?
Is your family the on-the-go type that enjoys travel and hiking the outdoors? Or, is your family the more stay-at-home type that enjoys unwinding in front of the TV? Are there pet restrictions or requirements you may need to consider if you are living in base housing? Choosing a pet requires a little homework to determine what kind is suitable for you. Finding the perfect pet begins with determining what type of pet best compliments your lifestyle, consider:
Your Schedule
How much time do you have to devote to a pet? Dogs require far more time and attention than cats. Cats are ideal for people who want companionship, but don’t have the time to commit to walking a dog daily and taking him outside on frequent bathroom trips.
Type of Breed and Size
Before adopting, it’s important to have a good understanding of the animal’s inherent behaviors and individual characteristics. Is the breed highly energetic with a substantial exercise requirement? Is your living space big enough to accommodate the pet you desire? To learn more about a specific breed and their needs, visit the Humane Society of the United States Web site at http://www.hsus.org or the American Kennel Club Web site at http://www.akc.org.
Young or Mature Pet
Kittens and puppies are cute, but they also require a tremendous amount of attention and diligent training for the first six to nine months. If you do not have the time or patience to train a kitten or puppy, consider adopting an adult. Adult cats and dogs often have basic training, are already housebroken and have plenty of love to give.
Your Budget
There is a financial impact that is not limited to food and shelter alone. Can you afford additional expenses associated with owning a pet like pet supplies, vet bills, trips to the groomer, lodging at a kennel and monthly preventatives (such as heartworm and flea and tick control)?
So, you have decided to adopt a pet and are prepared to care for it every day for the next 10 to 20 years. Where is the best place to find your furry friend? First, consider adopting from a local animal shelter, like Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center, Havelock Animal Services or Pet Adoption and Welfare Services of Carteret County. One in every four dogs in American animal shelters is purebred. Our local shelters have a variety of breeds and are overcrowded with animals in need of good homes. You can visit or view some of the available cats and dogs in the local area at http://www.petfinder.com.
Another option is to seek a reputable breeder. You can find a reputable breeder by asking for referrals from a veterinarian, contacting local breed clubs or visiting dog shows. Responsible breeders raise their animals with the intent to produce healthy cats and dogs. Good breeders will take breed-specific health problems, genetics, physical condition and temperament into consideration before producing litters. A good breeder will also carefully nurture the mothers and the offspring they produce. They will constantly check the animals for ailments and ensure they are properly socialized. Before placing them in homes, breeders screen potential customers rigorously, and will often provide a pedigree. They will provide new owners with all the information necessary for caring for their new pet.
Taking the time to search properly to find the right pet to fit in with your family and compliment your lifestyle will lead to a faithful companion waiting to greet you after a hard day’s work or after many long days on a deployment.
Incorporating Fido or Whiskers into your Military lifestyle
Unlike the civilian way of life, there are some unique challenges that contribute to the military lifestyle. This includes extended training, nights on duty, overseas moves, and the biggest challenge for military families – the inevitable deployment. With all these hurdles, how do you provide the best possible home for your pet and incorporate him or her into your military way of life? There are resources available to assist you as a military pet owner. Cherry Point Veterinary Treatment Facility, the station’s veterinary clinic, offers pet wellness checks, vaccinations, tests, health certificates for overseas and domestic travel, and discounted pet care products. In addition, they can guide you through the following:
- Registering Your Pet On Base: Check with the base housing office for housing regulations that pertain to owning a pet. If you plan to live in base housing and have a pet, you must register your pet with the air station veterinarian within ten working days after you are assigned quarters. The Veterinary Treatment Facility does not need to see the pet, but you will need your military ID, a current rabies vaccination certificate and proof of a microchip in order to register your animal. Upon registration, you will be given either a pet registration tag or a rabies tag to display on the animal at all times and a letter of registration that you will need to provide to the housing office. On-base pet owners are responsible for keeping vaccination certificates current with the Veterinary Treatment Facility and with the housing office.
If you don’t live on base, your city may have different regulations when it comes to registering your animal. The best idea is to consult your local city hall to be sure that you are meeting your responsibilities with respect to city ordinances.
- Plan for Your Pet during Deployment: Deployments mean substantial time away from home, family, and Whiskers or Fido. Just as you prepare for your family’s needs, it is also important to anticipate your pet’s needs. Having a pet deployment plan while you are away ensures the well-being of your furry companion while you are overseas. Sometimes your plan can be as simple as a family member or friend caring for your pet while you are away, but some situations may be complicated and require a little research to find a trusted caretaker.
The good news is help is available. Often, military deployments are accompanied by an increase of animals taken in by shelters, but a call to duty doesn’t have to mean giving up your pet. In the event no one is available to care for your pet, consider foster care. Check out http://www.netpets.org or http://www.operationnoblefoster.org for organizations specializing in placing military pets into foster care. In addition, Military OneSource will help service members find a guardian for their pet while on deployment. For more information, visit http://www.militaryonesource.com or call (800) 342-9647.
Whether it’s a family member, friend or professional caretaker providing for your pet while you’re away, it’s important to provide them with a pet care plan and a power of attorney so they will have all the information they need regarding any of the specific needs Fido or Whiskers may have. Be sure to include in your plan your pet’s dietary requirements if he eats a particular food, an exercise routine, monthly heartworm and flea treatment, medications and instructions, vaccine renewals, health records and veterinarian contact information.
- Moving Your Animal: Military life means a permanent change of station (PCS) move eventually. This may mean a move to an overseas location, but whatever the final destination, this should not be a hardship for pets or owners. Any move requires planning to get your animal safely and smoothly to your new duty station.
Local shelters report large numbers of animals being brought in as a result of military members who could not take their animals on a PCS move, because of poor planning. Having a house with an ample yard in eastern North Carolina is ideal for an animal, but the high cost of living may require a smaller living arrangement in places like southern California or Washington, D.C. The key element in these cases is to plan early to anticipate your new living arrangement and the needs of your pet.
There are obligations to fulfill prior to taking your pet on a PCS move overseas. Host nations specify that your pet must meet certain requirements prior to entering the country. For example, a move to Japan will require that your pet have a microchip before rabies vaccine, two rabies vaccines after the microchip (more than 30 days apart), immunization tests, a health certificate and may require a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certificate. In addition, your pet may need to meet age requirements and undergo a quarantine period. The Veterinary Treatment Facility here and USDA are the best local resources for making sure that your pet is ready to move overseas or to Hawaii, which also has special requirements
Incorporating a pet into your military lifestyle can be a very rewarding experience. A pet can offer companionship to your family members while you’re on deployment, teach children responsibility and help them to cope with PCS moves. Taking the proper steps to choose the appropriate pet for your lifestyle, planning for the unique challenges you have in the military, anticipating the needs of your pet and incorporating a plan to care for the well-being of your pet will put the Semper in your pet’s Fidelis for a lifetime.
Ellie
7/25/2008 By KERRY MCKEEL , Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. — When it comes to pet ownership in the military there are certain factors to consider to ensure you and your feline or canine companion are lifelong, faithful friends. While a pet can be a very positive addition to military families, the adoption of a pet can also be the result of an impulse or emotional decision. It’s important to understand that choosing to own a pet is a commitment that should endure that animal’s lifetime – through a marriage, a new baby, a divorce or moving. When it comes to owning a pet, a little foresight and proactive planning can benefit both you and your four-legged friend.
Fido or Whiskers?
Is your family the on-the-go type that enjoys travel and hiking the outdoors? Or, is your family the more stay-at-home type that enjoys unwinding in front of the TV? Are there pet restrictions or requirements you may need to consider if you are living in base housing? Choosing a pet requires a little homework to determine what kind is suitable for you. Finding the perfect pet begins with determining what type of pet best compliments your lifestyle, consider:
Your Schedule
How much time do you have to devote to a pet? Dogs require far more time and attention than cats. Cats are ideal for people who want companionship, but don’t have the time to commit to walking a dog daily and taking him outside on frequent bathroom trips.
Type of Breed and Size
Before adopting, it’s important to have a good understanding of the animal’s inherent behaviors and individual characteristics. Is the breed highly energetic with a substantial exercise requirement? Is your living space big enough to accommodate the pet you desire? To learn more about a specific breed and their needs, visit the Humane Society of the United States Web site at http://www.hsus.org or the American Kennel Club Web site at http://www.akc.org.
Young or Mature Pet
Kittens and puppies are cute, but they also require a tremendous amount of attention and diligent training for the first six to nine months. If you do not have the time or patience to train a kitten or puppy, consider adopting an adult. Adult cats and dogs often have basic training, are already housebroken and have plenty of love to give.
Your Budget
There is a financial impact that is not limited to food and shelter alone. Can you afford additional expenses associated with owning a pet like pet supplies, vet bills, trips to the groomer, lodging at a kennel and monthly preventatives (such as heartworm and flea and tick control)?
So, you have decided to adopt a pet and are prepared to care for it every day for the next 10 to 20 years. Where is the best place to find your furry friend? First, consider adopting from a local animal shelter, like Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center, Havelock Animal Services or Pet Adoption and Welfare Services of Carteret County. One in every four dogs in American animal shelters is purebred. Our local shelters have a variety of breeds and are overcrowded with animals in need of good homes. You can visit or view some of the available cats and dogs in the local area at http://www.petfinder.com.
Another option is to seek a reputable breeder. You can find a reputable breeder by asking for referrals from a veterinarian, contacting local breed clubs or visiting dog shows. Responsible breeders raise their animals with the intent to produce healthy cats and dogs. Good breeders will take breed-specific health problems, genetics, physical condition and temperament into consideration before producing litters. A good breeder will also carefully nurture the mothers and the offspring they produce. They will constantly check the animals for ailments and ensure they are properly socialized. Before placing them in homes, breeders screen potential customers rigorously, and will often provide a pedigree. They will provide new owners with all the information necessary for caring for their new pet.
Taking the time to search properly to find the right pet to fit in with your family and compliment your lifestyle will lead to a faithful companion waiting to greet you after a hard day’s work or after many long days on a deployment.
Incorporating Fido or Whiskers into your Military lifestyle
Unlike the civilian way of life, there are some unique challenges that contribute to the military lifestyle. This includes extended training, nights on duty, overseas moves, and the biggest challenge for military families – the inevitable deployment. With all these hurdles, how do you provide the best possible home for your pet and incorporate him or her into your military way of life? There are resources available to assist you as a military pet owner. Cherry Point Veterinary Treatment Facility, the station’s veterinary clinic, offers pet wellness checks, vaccinations, tests, health certificates for overseas and domestic travel, and discounted pet care products. In addition, they can guide you through the following:
- Registering Your Pet On Base: Check with the base housing office for housing regulations that pertain to owning a pet. If you plan to live in base housing and have a pet, you must register your pet with the air station veterinarian within ten working days after you are assigned quarters. The Veterinary Treatment Facility does not need to see the pet, but you will need your military ID, a current rabies vaccination certificate and proof of a microchip in order to register your animal. Upon registration, you will be given either a pet registration tag or a rabies tag to display on the animal at all times and a letter of registration that you will need to provide to the housing office. On-base pet owners are responsible for keeping vaccination certificates current with the Veterinary Treatment Facility and with the housing office.
If you don’t live on base, your city may have different regulations when it comes to registering your animal. The best idea is to consult your local city hall to be sure that you are meeting your responsibilities with respect to city ordinances.
- Plan for Your Pet during Deployment: Deployments mean substantial time away from home, family, and Whiskers or Fido. Just as you prepare for your family’s needs, it is also important to anticipate your pet’s needs. Having a pet deployment plan while you are away ensures the well-being of your furry companion while you are overseas. Sometimes your plan can be as simple as a family member or friend caring for your pet while you are away, but some situations may be complicated and require a little research to find a trusted caretaker.
The good news is help is available. Often, military deployments are accompanied by an increase of animals taken in by shelters, but a call to duty doesn’t have to mean giving up your pet. In the event no one is available to care for your pet, consider foster care. Check out http://www.netpets.org or http://www.operationnoblefoster.org for organizations specializing in placing military pets into foster care. In addition, Military OneSource will help service members find a guardian for their pet while on deployment. For more information, visit http://www.militaryonesource.com or call (800) 342-9647.
Whether it’s a family member, friend or professional caretaker providing for your pet while you’re away, it’s important to provide them with a pet care plan and a power of attorney so they will have all the information they need regarding any of the specific needs Fido or Whiskers may have. Be sure to include in your plan your pet’s dietary requirements if he eats a particular food, an exercise routine, monthly heartworm and flea treatment, medications and instructions, vaccine renewals, health records and veterinarian contact information.
- Moving Your Animal: Military life means a permanent change of station (PCS) move eventually. This may mean a move to an overseas location, but whatever the final destination, this should not be a hardship for pets or owners. Any move requires planning to get your animal safely and smoothly to your new duty station.
Local shelters report large numbers of animals being brought in as a result of military members who could not take their animals on a PCS move, because of poor planning. Having a house with an ample yard in eastern North Carolina is ideal for an animal, but the high cost of living may require a smaller living arrangement in places like southern California or Washington, D.C. The key element in these cases is to plan early to anticipate your new living arrangement and the needs of your pet.
There are obligations to fulfill prior to taking your pet on a PCS move overseas. Host nations specify that your pet must meet certain requirements prior to entering the country. For example, a move to Japan will require that your pet have a microchip before rabies vaccine, two rabies vaccines after the microchip (more than 30 days apart), immunization tests, a health certificate and may require a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certificate. In addition, your pet may need to meet age requirements and undergo a quarantine period. The Veterinary Treatment Facility here and USDA are the best local resources for making sure that your pet is ready to move overseas or to Hawaii, which also has special requirements
Incorporating a pet into your military lifestyle can be a very rewarding experience. A pet can offer companionship to your family members while you’re on deployment, teach children responsibility and help them to cope with PCS moves. Taking the proper steps to choose the appropriate pet for your lifestyle, planning for the unique challenges you have in the military, anticipating the needs of your pet and incorporating a plan to care for the well-being of your pet will put the Semper in your pet’s Fidelis for a lifetime.
Ellie