14Pet peeves (no pun intended).
I work with a local nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue. Here are some of the most frustrating and annoying things people do and say: 1. Ask if our animals cost money or are shocked that they do. We rarely break even on vet bills. 2. Let their children scream and run around, terrifying our cats and dogs. Many of our animals have been abused or are just scared of loud brats. Solution: Teach kids not to approach an animal without asking first. 3. Put their dog right in front of the cage of one of our dogs. The dog in the cage will want to play, or be frightened. Either way it’ll freak everyone out. 4. Loudly proclaim how sad it is that our animals are in cages. Actually, they are in loving foster homes or out on their leashes in the store most of the time. 5. Ask if we have puppies or a specific breed and get upset if we don’t. If you would just hang on for a minute I’d give you information on breed rescues. 6. Ask for young (less than two months old) puppies or kittens. We don’t put any animal up for adoption until it’s weaned, had it’s boosters and been altered and microchipped. 7. Try to lecture me about our animals. I don’t care if you think you’re Caesar Milan, you still aren’t going to convince me that dogs like sleeping outside every night, or that cats can be outside pets. Well, that’s all I can think of for now. So for those of you that practice proper animal etiquette, I thank you. I suggest those of you that don’t know how to behave with animals volunteer at a local shelter to learn the basics.