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Armie Ugates
Doha
Buying or adopting a pet is easy; the hard part is deciding to be a responsible owner and sticking with the decision to raise your pet the best way possible. Getting a pet in Qatar is not difficult, there are pet shops and shelters around the city, and there are also individuals who exert effort to get stray or abandoned cats and dogs off the streets and put them up for adoption.
Unfortunately, the reason there may be abandoned animals is because sometimes people don't think hard enough about taking in a pet, or they don't do a little research before adopting. Perhaps they got a pet on an impulse but they forgot the part that some, if not all, animals need time and effort to be raised properly and they also grow bigger and do not stay as cute as they were when they were little. However, that should never be a reason to abandon them.
People who are thinking about getting a pet, should consider things such as whether they have enough space in their house; whether they have the time; and whether they are willing to take the animal with them, or at least, have someone to leave it with, if they ever have to leave the country.
Living space is important because pets need to be able to move around. It shouldn't be expected for a cat or a dog to be okay being cooped up inside a cage for long periods of time. Just like humans, regular movement and exercise is important for their health and well-being, and it may help them live longer, healthier lives too.
One of the least thought about, but most crucial things that need to be considered when getting a pet is if you have the budget for it. Lloyd Mercado, who recently adopted a puppy from an animal rescuer, said,"I'm not really a dog-lover, but the first time I saw the puppy, he stole my heart and I decided to adopt him. I was not prepared for the changes that adopting him would bring into my life. I've brought sturdier furniture for my room because he just likes gnawing at everything and his diet is now part of my monthly grocery budget."
Mercado is a first-time dog-owner so he recently visited the Government Veterinary Clinic located on Old Airport Road to get his puppy checked and micro-chipped."You just have to buy the medicine and the vet will do the injections for free. It was great to find out that there are free services offered for pet owners, but getting to the clinic was an experience I didn't anticipate," he said."First of all, I don't have a car so my puppy, Paw, and I had to take a taxi there. The ride to and from the clinic cost me more than QR100, so it's probably best if potential pet adopters have their own car, and second, Paw did not want to sit in his carrier. He whined so loudly it was embarrassing. Thankfully, the driver was kind enough to allow him to sit on my lap for most of the trip. Some will not allow that," he added.
Prescriptions and information on where to purchase vaccines or medicines can be acquired from doctors at the Government Veterinary Clinic. There is also a veterinary pharmacy located at Barwa Village. After having the pet vaccinated and registered, the owner must fill out a form stating his personal information and he receives a booklet that contains the pet's microchip number and vaccination details. This will come in handy if the owner ever decides to travel with the pet. After the initial vaccination, a second visit to the vet will follow after about a month for anti-rabies and deworming. Vaccines and vet checks are important in preventing illnesses and can help in giving your pet a long and healthy life, so it must not be neglected.
Adopting an animal will require time, patience and a whole lot of love because what is the use of adopting if you're just going to leave it to fend for itself? If pet-adopters are lucky, some dogs or cats come trained because they were previously owned, but most of the time they are not and the job of training the new pet falls upon the new owner. First time adopters must keep in mind that training is not an easy task, they must not expect results so quickly and they should also not be discouraged or disappointed when it seems like nothing is happening. Consistency and patience is the key."Paw has only been with me for about two months but he understands where he's supposed to go to the bathroom now, I'm also training him not to pull on the leash when we're out for walks. It's still a work in progress, but I think he's slowly learning," Mercado said.
When asked about one of the problems he has encountered as a new pet owner in Qatar, Mercado said,"It's not a huge problem, but I found that there aren't too many public places to take dogs out around here. Luckily, I live in a compound where I can take him out for walks and our villa has a roof-top where Paw can play and run around freely. It would still be nice if there was a public park we could go to every once in a while."
Animals can become great companions and friends. They can entertain you with their antics, keep you company and make you happier than you expect. People must keep in mind that pets are a big responsibility. Adopting one should not be taken lightly. Take the time to think about it, consult friends and family, even other pet owners. Remember, you are your pet's guardian for the rest of his or her life. The best way to treat a pet is to think of them as part of the family and one of the greatest rewards you can get from having a pet is the feeling of being appreciated and loved unconditionally.
