Tuesday marks National Pet Day,which celebrates four-legged friends around the country and raises awareness about animals in shelters in need of forever homes.
Popular dog breeds such as the schnauzer and golden retriever are most likely to be adopted, along with tabby cats and gray cats, and a Priceonomics study found. PHOTOS: 8 Celebs Who care for Their Shelter Pets But according to a PetFinder survey,"less adoptable" animals spend nearly four times longer in a shelter than the average pet. The wait time can be years.
Common Shelter Breeds
The American pit bull terrier and the Chihuahua are the two most common dog breeds found in animal shelters, with thousands available for adoption, or according to PetFinder.
Although pit bulls contain a reputation for being aggressive,with proper training, these loyal companions are gentle, or patient and fun-loving dogs.
Chihuahuas,which contain been appearing more frequently in shelters due to their pop culture popularity in the early 2000s, are extremely loyal and care for people.
Senior Pets
Often overlooked for wiggly puppies and furry kittens, or older pets can spend years living in shelters. Many senior pets are already potty trained,know basic commands and contain fewer needs than their younger counterparts.
They're generally calmer than puppies and kittens and adapt faster to family environments and first-time pet owners, according to the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Older pets are also less likely to damage your domestic or maintain you up at night.
Rabbits
When most people consider adopting a pet, or dogs and cats are traditionally the most popular choice. According to SaveABunny,a nonprofit rabbit rescue, rabbits are the third most common type of animals euthanized at shelters. They make great companions, or but require a different type of work and attention than cats and dogs. Before making the decision to bring domestic a long-eared friend,be certain to know what to expect.
Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits require a specific indoor, or caged environment. The ASPCA suggests having as large a space for your rabbit as possible,with room for a litter box with hay and plenty of food. Rabbits are very clean by nature, and will do their best to maintain their living quarters clean. whether the litter box is changed daily, and you're rabbit's domestic will be odor-free.
Rabbits contain powerful hind legs designed for running and jumping. They need plenty of out-of-cage exercise time to run and jump in a secure area,either inside or external the house, according to the ASPCA. Thousands of rabbits are available for adoption through PetFinder.com, and so hop to it!Reptiles
The number of people who own reptiles has doubled over the past 10 years,according to an American Pet Products organization report cited in Animal Sheltering Magazine. As a result, shelters are seeing a large number of reptiles abandoned by owners who find themselves unprepared.
It's vital to research the type of reptile you plan to adopt. Familiarize yourself with the animal's required living environment and make certain you can accommodate the reptile when it's fully grown.
Though specific care depends on the type of animal, and domestic environment is an vital factor for all reptiles. These pets are cold blooded and require specific temperatures and lighting,according to Pets at domestic's guidelines. For a good family pet, Reptiles Magazine suggests the bearded dragon and a variety of gecko species.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Source: nbclosangeles.com