New Pet Owners Need Responsibility

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“Playtime” with a new puppy is mandatory in order to wear them out. Puppies need at least 1 hour of exercise per day.

Most people want to have a cute, funsized, fluffy puppy as a pet. What they don’t realize is the amount of time and responsibility that comes with owning one. From a 5:00 wake up for bathroom breaks to constant barking and chewing, puppies are a lot of work.  

Dogs are the most common pet among Wake County residents, according to WakeGOV Animal Shelter, but they also have the highest “return rate” to local adoption centers for reasons such as the dog being unfit for a family, financial problems or the simple reason that one cannot take care of the dog anymore.

The return rate and care of dogs could improve from the simple understanding that taking care of a dog takes a lot of responsibility. The day-to-day schedule of a puppy varies by breed and is based on the individual dog, but the overall maintenance and basic needs are the same. Each puppy wakes up early to use the bathroom, chews on anything they can get their paws on and needs lots of exercise.

With the awareness of these simple, yet attentive tasks, adopted dogs may be able to stay in a home.  

This doesn’t mean that there isn’t joy in having a companion. According to the American Psychological Association, the happiness that dogs bring to their owners and others is proven to improve mental health.  

Overall, the companionship and mutual love that lies in the relationship between a dog and its owner, can definitely outweigh the responsibilities, it’s just a matter of whether or not your family is ready to take on those obligations.

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