I have been wanting to adopt a dog ever since I arrived at college.
Since moving to Orange, I’ve constantly missed the companionship of my dog, Maisie June, back home in Windsor.
Despite not having any outstanding circumstances discouraging me from adopting a dog, I constantly have to remind myself that I am not able to fully support an animal in need of a new home at this time in my life.
37.1% of dogs who are relinquished
back to shelters are done so within 7 months to a year of their initial adoption, so while adopting an animal might seem like a fun idea at the moment, animals are suffering due to many peoples’ spontaneity.
Here are the top reasons why owners relinquished their pets according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP)
Reason | Dogs | Cats |
Moving | 7% | 8% |
Landlord not allowing pets | 6% | 6% |
Too many animals in household | 4% | 11% |
Cost of pet maintenence | 5% | 6% |
Owner having personal problems | 4% | 4% |
Inadequate facilities | 4% | 2% |
No homes available for litter mates | 3% | 6% |
Having no time for pet | 4% | -- |
Pet illnesses | 4% | -- |
Biting | 3% | -- |
Allergies in family | -- | 8% |
House soiling | -- | 5% |
Incompatibility with other pets | -- | 2% |
Animals require a lot of care and assistance from feeding, medical care expenses, exercise, and the general attention required to maintain the wellbeing of a living creature.
People who are considering adopting an animal need to heavily consider all of these factors before going out and getting an animal of their own.
What You Can Do: Thinking Local
OC Animal Care, a local animal shelter in Tustin, California, focuses on sheltering animals and providing them caring homes.
“At any given time, we can have dogs, cats, rabbits, farm animals, reptiles, guinea pigs, hamsters, and even birds available for adoption” - Melissa Fox, Public Education Officer for OCAC.
In addition to their rescue and adoption efforts, OCAC also hosts a monthly Pet Food Pantry, where families can pick up free food for their pets, as well as offering medical assistance to animals for vaccination, spay, and neuter services.
OC Animal Care: Dog Bios
OC Animal Care has kindly offered a few short bios of some of the dogs that are currently up for adoption, so let's meet some pups!
Storm is OC Animal’s Care’s longest resident who has been with them for over a year. As a lover of walks and playing fetch, he is in need of a home who can accommodate his energetic, bouncy play style. Storm requires a household with adults or children at least 15 years old.
Darling is a loving dog who OC Animal Care found wandering the streets in April 2021. Since joining the facility, they’ve discovered she loves to play fetch and becomes extremely comfortable around humans who take the time to know her.
Commands she knows include sit and shake, and while shy at first, Darling needs a home that will make her feel comfortable and open up to her!
Lobo is an energetic dog who loves big open spaces and running around! His previous owners did not have the space they knew he needed, and unfortunately left him in OC Animal Care’s hands to find him a more comfortable place to live. He is very affectionate to the smaller dogs at the facility, so they believe him to be okay living in homes with other, smaller dogs.
Which of these adorable faces is the best match for you? Comment below!
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