The Plight of the Only Pet

Whitney loves children and is easy to walk

The adoption staff at the Aiken County Animal Shelter does an amazing job of matching pets for new owners by analyzing their play styles and behavior.

There is one group of pets that has become a challenge to get adopted. This group is made up of wonderful animals who, for different reasons, want to be the only pet in the home. They don’t want to share their new home with another pet. This does not make them bad pets with behavioral issues. Instead, they are great pets who want to please their owners and want 100% of their owner’s love.

This week’s column introduces three fabulous available “only pet dogs” named Whitney, Jax, and Remi and one “only pet cat” named Cane. All are smart, well trained and family friendly that just can’t live in a home with other furry friends.

This really hurts their adoption chances.

WhitneyWhitney is terrific with children, she knows her commands and she is house-trained. She is easy to walk and absolutely devoted to anyone that shows her love and attention. She has gone on school trips and visited seniors. Whitney does not like cats or other dogs and just doesn’t want to share her home with them.

Jax is a fluffy, happy and very intelligent dog! He is a dog park dog, so good in playgroups. But in a home, he is jealous. He doesn’t want to share his toys or his person with other dogs and is not a fan of cats, which does not make him unique. Jax can fetch tennis balls (he will even seek out the squeaky ones if they are mixed in, total smarty!). Jax loves swimming in the pools at the shelter and has never had an accident!

Remi
Remi

Remi is a stunning black lab. He appears to be purebred. He is the BEST ever at fetch and carries his favorite ball around like a pacifier. He came to us after being attacked by another dog needing a lot of stitches and medical attention. Naturally he is now defensive around other dogs, who wouldn’t be? Remi will return each ball thrown and then will lay at your feet, falling over to cuddle with you. Dreamy!

These dogs will make the absolute best companions! They love to cuddle, they love belly rubs, they are fabulous pets. Finding a home in Aiken, what a challenge!

We get cats periodically that also don’t enjoy homes with other cats. Cane is one of these kitties. He originally came to us as a stray and was adopted. He was later picked up as a stray and returned to the owner. Then three years later was returned for not meeting the owner’s expectations. The poor kitty is an only pet. He is so frightened being back at the shelter which doesn’t help him find a home. He needs a person to adopt him and build that trust and love, he will be such a good friend!

Surely there are people that like one pet? Where are you?!

Don’t let these pets linger in kennels waiting for homes, they are truly the best of the best and deserve the most. Holidays are coming up, don’t spend them alone. Adopt a friend such as Whitney, Jax, Remi or Cane.

Their adoption fees are sponsored and waived.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator