ARE YOU READY FOR A PET
Learn more about pet responsibility from Pet School on Discovery Kids
So, the kids have been begging for a pet, or you’re considering getting an animal companion to dress up and take along with you to the pet-friendly mall? Hold on, there’s a lot more involved to being a pet owner than just picking up one at the shelter, store or breeder. Raising a pet has actually been likened by many to raising a child – except it’s possibly even harder.
“It’s important to keep in mind that - for his entire life - a pet will rely on its human parent for everything: from the basic needs of food, water and shelter, to other needs like medical care, exercise, play and socialization,” said Dr. Marga Carpio, co-author of “Happy Dog, Happy You” and owner/ partner of Vets in Practice Animal Hospital, the biggest veterinary hospital in the Philippines.
“Some people realize too late that a pet is a huge responsibility, and the dream of a perfect animal companion can quickly become a nightmare that one will be living in possibly for years,” she adds. “A pet is a long-term commitment and should not be treated like a toy that one can get rid of easily!”
Dr. Carpio suggests that potential owners ask themselves the following questions before getting a pet: Do we have the time?
School or a regular job will make it very difficult to fit an animal companion into one’s life. Movies like “Beethoven” and “Cats & Dogs“brought it to an extreme but anyone who’s come home to clawed up couches or chewed up shoes knows that anything can happen when
a pet is left to his own devices at home. Do we have space?
Baby animals – pups, kittens, chicks, cubs or whatever they are called when they are at their smallest and cutest – won’t take up much space. In no time, however, they’ll be occupying and needing much more space to move around. For those living in condominiums, find out
first if you’re allowed to house animals. Will my human companions agree?
Is anyone in the house allergic to fur? Are there small children who will be made uneasy with the presence of your pet? Will Mom complain about the smell? Housemates will be co-parents so it’s important to seriously consider if they, too, are ready for a pet.
If you’re still not sure if you are ready for a pet, catch “Pet School,” the all-new series on Discovery Kids which will follow nine young budding pet owners as they are put through ‘pet practice’ to give them more insight on the individual needs of animal companions.
“Pet School” is about the size of 10 football fields and is home to 51 animals that all need to be fed, watered, cleaned and cared for every single day. Most of the “Pet School” residents are rescue animals that had a tough life and they’re there to help the nine kids become top pet people and teach them to not make the same mistakes as their previous pet owners. In order to increase their chances of successfully pitching to their families for a pet of their own, the nine hopeful kids must overcome their fears, put aside their tantrums and even clean poo and feathers!
“Pet School” premieres on Discovery Kids tomorrow, March 17, and every Monday thereafter at 9:00 a.m. Replays are on Tuesdays at 12 noon and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit Discovery Kids at www.dkids.asia.