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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, October 27, 1999 Page A3 Calculate your costs before you buy The price of a pet By Jennifer Stone Staff Writer How much is that doggy in the window? More than you might think by the time you factor in licensing, food, veterinarian veterinarian bills, and all the other costs involved in raising a dog. "You should find out how much care is going to cost you" before Thc- making a canine addition to the family, family, says Karen Lyle of Clarington Animal Animal Services. October is Adopt-a-Dog month, according to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. And while local animal adoption agencies arc eager to find new homes for the dogs currently in their care, they also warn having a dog is a big commitment. "I wish more people would understand understand that a pet is for life," says Brenda Brenda Lowry, founder of the Pet Connection, Connection, a service which rescues dogs at risk of being euthanized at Oshawa's Animal Services simply because they have been there too long. In the more than four years since the Pet Connection was founded, the organization has found homes for more than 3,000 dogs, says Ms. Lowry. Every Saturday and every second second Friday and Sunday, the group takes dogs rescued from the pound to Petsmart, 1650 Victoria St. in Whitby. "These arc good dogs," says Ms. Lowry of the type of animals her group rescues. "For most of them, it's just that somebody let them down." Clarington's Animal Services Department charges $64.75 for dog adoption. Ms. Lyle says the idea of pet ownership warrants a fair amount of thought. "Do they have the space? Arc they going to have a kennel? Arc they going to tic it up? Is it good with children? children? We get a lot of people who have pets at home already and want to know how they're going to react," relates Ms. Lyle, adding it's important for the whole family to be in on the decision. "We really encourage them, if they have children, to bring the children along to see how the dog reacts," she says. Other family pets can also be brought along to the animal shelter to see how the animals interact. Any prospective dog adopter is allowed to take the animal out for a walk before committing to the dog. After the dog is chosen, spaying and neutering becomes an issue. The Pet Connection, through fund-raising efforts at Oshawa's Red Barn Charity Bingo, is now able to offer a $25 rebate to people who adopt a dog from them and then have the animal fixed. Clarington's Animal Services Department Department offers a discounted rate for dog tags with proof the animal is spayed or neutered. As well, the price of a tag drops in Clarington with proof the animal animal has received its rabies vaccination. vaccination. In spite of the costs involved, Ms. Lowry says there arc still lots of good reasons to adopt a dog. "The best reason would be that they are giving a good dog a second chance at life," she says. Lesley and Doug Chreptyk have added Corky, an American Eskimo dog, to their family. There arc a number of factors to take into consideration before you acquire a dog, advises Karen Lyle of Clarington Animal Services. Evening & Saturday Appointments Emergency Care □ Sedation Q Periodontist Dr. John Balenko Dr. Stan Goldman (905) 623-7412 n □ Children's Dentistry □ Orthodontics GENERAL FAMILY DENTISTRY 60 LIBERTY ST. SOUTH, SUITE 300, BOWMANVILLE fiYiw». Æ\* [jEj Dr. Karl Vermeulen Dr. Monica Katyal (905) 623-7100 Clarington Mall, Bowmanville (Between Canadian Tire and Zellers, right next to Payless Shoes) (905)697-8117 (905)434-9828 Your ONE-STOP COMPUTER STORE For sales, service, support, a education Opening Saturday, October 30,1999 at 9:00 a.m. vi ■ -- Watch for our Grand Opening Ads Week of Oct. 25-30 Race Car Sal, Oct. 30 9-5 Free photo taken with the car. Y Balloons BBQ Sat, Oct. 30 noon til 2:00 pm Introductory Courses: We'll help you feel comfortable with your software applications, • Windows 95, 9» • Internet Basics, inch Email • Using your Scanner • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powcrpoint) • Corel Suite • Accounting Softwares • Photoshop • Corel Draw •Call for course schedules Please recycle your copy of the Canadian Statesman CHRYSLER'S #1 VOLUME DEALER IN DURHAM SALES • LEASING OVER 40 QUALITY USED CARS ANDTRUCKS OVER 200 NEW VEHICLES IN STOCK ON SALE NOW VISIT US TODAY AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE BEST! CHRYSLER )' SHUTTLE SERVICE * SERVICE PARTS NEW MODERN 12 BAY SERVICE DEPT. ALSO EXPANDED PARTS DEPT. 799 BLOOR ST. W., OSHAWA (905) 404-0525 I w ~h jy s 401 Bloor SI South Setvice R "W-" I ^ Durham ■ * w Dodqo Oshawa Chrysler GO Station y imrnmimmimminn