If you're worried about potential medical issues associated with adopting a pet from the Joplin Humane Society, we'd like to offer a few answers. Dr. Shannah Cassatt, DVM told KODE, "When the pet is adopted from the Humane Society, they get to have a free exam here [at our Veterinary Clinic]. So we'll bring the dog in, usually in the first couple of days after adoption, and we'll do a physical exam on them and make sure there's nothing going on at that point. And then, we usually set them up on a schedule for [annual] vaccinations and general care."
Your pet's first visit to the Veterinarian is considered part of the adoption process. And the initial medical work-up will also mean your animal will be spayed or neutered. "I think it's important", said Dr. Cassatt, "We like to minimize the population of unwanted animals. So I think it's important that we spay or neuter them just so we decrease our population; so animals don't suffer and aren't hit on the highways, or are unwanted and dumped. [And if the animal is not spayed or neutered[, they have a tendency to try to run. That drive is still there, so allot of times they will run. They'll run off. You might lose them."
Spaying or neutering can increase an animal's life-span, meaning you'll have more time to enjoy your pet. "Any time an animal goes through reproduction, especially a female, there are increasing energy needs to that body which usually increases nutritional needs. Also, multiple births have a tendency to decrease the health of the animal."
Veterinarians say spaying or neutering your new pet will help the animal live a healthier and happier life in its new home. And happy homes are what the Joplin Humane Society is all about.
