There have been a lot of abandoned and abused pets lately, and as I've been learning, civilians have a very poor view of military and military family members when it comes to how we take care of our pets. Some of us of course, not all... I've been thinking lately about an idea that may possibly help military families and their pets and I wanted your opinion on whether you would participate and support it... A program: a mandatory program. Before you are allowed to have a pet in any base housing someone in your household would have to attend. This program is a pet parenting class that gives you info on what to expect when owning a pet in the military, different breeds and their needs, costs associated with them, how to care for them, ect... Plus info on moving with pets, local rescues, what happens in kill shelters, trainers, behavior problems, pet sitters, boarding facilities and all that good info... All in one place. Plus the laws in this area regarding pets getting loose as well as what happens when you abandon and abuse your pets. My goal is to give owners the knowledge necessary to be a responsible pet owner and hopefully cut down on what's been going on in our community. Let me know what you think and if that's what you would attend/support. Thanks.  

I think its a great idea, however there are people out there (not me, but my husband is) who have animals, but "a dog is a dog" and not a family member, and I think most of those animals who dont move with the military family are the ones who dont truly have that same "relationship" as those whos pets are their "family", so I dont see it making a difference to them. I hope that makes sense. 

I think that's a great idea for the family readiness center to look into... Pet care classes - with visits from local pet obedience places. How to adopt a pet classes - with visits from local shelters. PCSing with Pets 101 - with information on the "bully breeds" stipulations and regulations from other bases... and a Budget for Baby type class for animals..... 

I think it's a good idea. Could prevent some irresponsible pet adopting. People who aren't really serious aren't going to take the time to take a class. Great idea Kelsi! 

I do understand where you're coming from. I know there are people who think that way... But those are the people who are causing alot of the problems and at the very least adding something to this program to make the point that: doing this is bad and there are consequences: may prevent them from getting a pet or atleast getting them to be more responsible when getting rid of one would still make this program a success... Do you think the base will continue to let people have pets if people keep treating them poorly? I'd rather have a few hoops to jump through and be allowed to have my dogs then not allowed to have one at all. 

yeah i understand :) 

Dude, serious? This problem is nation wide and has nothing to do with military. It's just crappy people being crappy, no matter what they're job is. 

It's just crappy people being crappy I agree, however a lot of people use the excuse of moving to ditch their animals. 

Dude, serious? This problem is nation wide and has nothing to do with military. It's just crappy people being crappy, no matter what they're job is. I think she understands that. But making one group of people a little more responsible when it comes to pets is not a bad thing. It's a few less people that may add to the problem. 

think she understands that. But making one groupe of people a little more responsible when it comes to pets is not a bad thing. It's a few less people that may add to the problem. But why make it mandatory for just military? Why not make it mandatory for all pet owners? Doing it for one group isn't going to change much. 

Doing it for one group isn't going to change much. but you gotta start somewhere, and a little bit is better then none imo. 

How would this be funded? Good idea or not, $$$$ will be involved on some level... where will it come from? 

but you gotta start somewhere, and a little bit is better then none imo. Fine but not mandatory. Why should those of us who take care of our pets have to attend because there are a few bad apples. We have a busy home. Finding time to attend something like that would be difficult. 

MN - she's talking about the problems in this community, because around here, people are literally throwing dogs out. Literally. Leaving them on base somewhere, tossing them out on 9 mile road, posting ads on CPYS saying give me $100 for this dog or I am taking it to a high kill shelter. So, I see where her frustration is. However, the class seems like a waste of resources to me. YOU feel that way about dogs. People who ditch their dogs think of a dog as a piece of property you can sell at a yard sale or toss in the landfill. Some class on dog ownership isn't going to change how they feel in their hearts about animals. 

Fine but not mandatory yeah i agree here. 

Didn't I say for base housing? Why yes, I think I did. Having pets in base housing, just like renting out in town, is a priviledge, not a right. Plus, making anyone who owns their own home do a program like this before they're allowed to get a pet is borderline pushing on someones rights, but that's not the case for base housing residents because they're not our homes. Theyre the bases'. So the base has the right to make a program like this mandatory if they feel the need. I am addressing that need. 

MN - she's talking about the problems in this community, because around here, people are literally throwing dogs out. Literally. Leaving them on base somewhere, tossing them out on 9 mile road, posting ads on CPYS saying give me $100 for this dog or I am taking it to a high kill shelter. So, I see where her frustration is. I understand that but even if it's high in that area, that area isn't all military, kwim? The ones on base don't even have to be military. Just one of those things where I caught that it would be a class designed for the military and not the community 

Didn't I say for base housing? Why yes, I think I did. Having pets in base housing, just like renting out in town, is a priviledge, not a right. Plus, making anyone who owns their own home do a program like this before they're allowed to get a pet is borderline pushing on someones rights, but that's not the case for base housing residents because they're not our homes. Theyre the bases'. So the base has the right to make a program like this mandatory if they feel the need. I am addressing that need. Making it mandatory is ridiculous. Where is the money going to come from? Are they going to pay for my childcare so that I can go to this class that I clearly don't need? 

I think that it should be mandatory to have a class or an infomration brief. You attend it when you get your dog microchipped (maybe a video in the waiting room of the vet that microchips). For infomration purposes and it would have information on health and local parvo cases and where to get more information about rehoming and general costs of pet ownership etc... You watch a stupid video at the driver's license office, why not at the vet.... And if you get caught with a pet that is not microchipped and/or vetted, you can't own another pet on base. You can get a second chance at the new duty station. 

Then it should be shown anytime anyone microchips their pets, regardless of where they live. Microchipping should be mandatory for every single animal that can have one. 

Then it should be shown anytime anyone microchips their pets, regardless of where they live. Microchipping should be mandatory for every single animal that can have one. Now that's a good idea too. I def agree with this. 

I agree MN... microchipping should be mandatory for any pet owner. Just like you register your car, you should register your pet. But you will have to agree with me that the "military" are more easily controlled than the general population.... and they move more.... 

But you will have to agree with me that the "military" are more easily controlled than the general population.... and they move more.... Right but even if it's mandatory on one base, that doesn't mean it will be mandatory on another. Not all bases are ran by the same company 

The Lifetime Cost of Adopting a Dog by Wojciech Kulicki Can you put a price tag on man's best friend? Raise your hand if you've considered the total amount of money you'll shell out when you adopt that cute little puppy at the pet store or shelter. I'm guessing that many of you haven't given it much thought, even if you incorporate a rough idea of the cost in your monthly or yearly budget. I didn't have any idea about the money required for pet ownership until I actually adopted my dog and wish that someone had written this post for me three years ago. Before splashing around in the details, I would like to point out that having a pet is truly a price-less experience. Many studies have proven that people with pets live longer and healthier lives, and that the physical and mental effects of an animal companion are evident and strong. You can't put a price tag on that, but I will try my best anyway. In order to accurately predict lifetime costs, we must first make several assumptions. First, this analysis is based purely on my own experience and my limited research into potential costs. Your personal situation may be different, and you should adjust your calculations accordingly. The average life expectancy of a typical dog in the United States is about 13 years. Assuming that you receive the dog sometime in its first year of life, this leaves about 12 years of care in your hands. We'll use this to sum up the yearly costs. One-Time Costs Purchase Cost: If you opt for a purebred dog, your initial costs are going to be major. If you go the "recycled" option (adoption) like us, the cost is significantly smaller, usually under $100. This model will assume that you've adopted. Add in the cost of your dog if you're making a purchase from a breeder. "Home" Expenses: This includes the purchase of a kennel and beds. An average-sized kennel will cost a bit under $100, while a new bed each year will total up to about $400 dollars ($30-40 per bed per year). The total in this category is $500. Classes: If you opt for obedience classes, the cheapest alternative (about $100) will be at your local pet store. Yearly Costs Veterinary Care: In 2005, the average vet/surgical bill for dogs was $785. This is probably one of the biggest challenges with keeping pet costs down, and depends on your feelings toward animal companions. I'm of the school that believes when it's the dog's time to go, you let them go. However, many owners would be willing to give up their life savings for their pets. If this is you, strongly consider whether pet insurance would pay off in the long run. Regular yearly visits to the vet cost about $100-$150. Assuming the addition of pet insurance, which can run about $300 per year, the yearly total for health is about $450, and protects you from unexpected health bills. Food Costs: Your dog's size and your choice of food will determine the range of costs in this category. We're lucky in both, as we buy a generic brand of food that the dog goes absolutely nuts over, and she is a small, 20-pound animal. Typical food costs will range from $100 to $400, so we will assume a $250 average. Treats and other munchies will run about $100 per year, also depending on the size of the dog, and how much you want to use treats in the dog's diet. Toys and Accessories: If you purchase a few toys here and there, your leash lasts for a few years, and you need some poop bags every few months, expect to spend about $100 per year in accessories. Grooming: A typical grooming appointment for your dog can cost between $30-$50 or more for larger breeds. If you wash your dog at home, you can cut costs considerably. If you groom professionally, expect to spend about $300 yearly. Boarding: Assuming you leave your dog kenneled for one week each year, expect to spend about $100. Save on costs by leaving your dog with a friend. To sum up, we have calculated our initial dog costs to be $700. Our per-year cost for the items mentioned are approximately $1300, which we multiply by 12 to get a lifetime cost of $15,600. Our total lifetime cost per dog is therefore $16,300. Before your jaw drops to the ground, like one reader's did, please understand that you can frugalize the heck out of this number. It's an extremely conservative and "full" estimate of the costs of dog ownership. What are our family's expected costs? $5,000. You just have to be willing to put in the effort. _________________________ 

I thought that was interesting when I read and wanted to share since this had to do with what you all were chatting about. Its just one persons opinion but still interesting. 

If you're going to gripe about a free but Mando class then maybe you would feel better paying a $200 per animal deposit instead? And darn people, stop getting so offended. Like I said, pets on base are a priviledge, not a right. 

Thank u cookette 

No one is offended. It's annoyance. You're asking that people be mandated to take a class on how to be a responsible and loving pet owner... and yet no such class is required to have kids? A class like that is not going to fix people that don't have compassion for animals. And it is only those people that think it's okay to toss dogs out. 

you're going to gripe about a free but Mando class then maybe you would feel better paying a $200 per animal deposit instead? And darn people, stop getting so offended. Like I said, pets on base are a priviledge, not a right. I have no problem paying for a pet deposit but please tell me what base HOUSING has to do with people abandoning their pets? Not a dang thing. And I'm not getting offended. I'm just saying, it's a nation wide thing and change needs to come from the minute a pet is adopted or bought. Microchipping needs to be mandatory. 

A class like that is not going to fix people that don't have compassion for animals DING DING DING!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad someone understands my thought process