Consider "rescue" pets for adoption

I fully agree with the editorial the Daily Herald wrote on Oct. 31 about adopting a shelter pet now if you can. The suspected case of hundreds of animals being abused and neglected at Pet Rescue in Bloomingdale should not deter individuals and families from adopting a pet at a shelter. There are many wonderful, well run, shelters in the Chicago area with dedicated staff, mainly volunteers, who take very good, loving care of the animals that are placed with them. Your readers can tell for themselves the quality of the shelter by taking a tour of the facility. The reputable shelters will gladly open their doors for inspection. They can also learn about quality shelters through word-of-mouth, by talking to friends and neighbors. In addition to shelters though, rescue organizations are another great source for getting your next pet. Rescue organizations are usually run with a network of foster families. When dogs come into a rescue, for example, members of the network (who have been interviewed and their home visited in advance) are contacted to see if they can foster a dog at that point in time. The canine rescue organization I am a member of recently participated in the removal of all the animals from an animal hoarder's home.

We have a wonderful network of fosters as do many rescues. So yes, animal shelters are a great place to find a pet, but so are animal rescues.

Also, November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Senior dogs are usually 7 years and older, and are harder to place because of their age. Senior pets, though, are calmer pets who are just as loving as the younger ones. When you consider adopting your next pet, look into adopting a senior. Having a senior pet following you around is like having an old friend over to visit, but just all the time. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Bobbie Klimkowski

Winfield