Hey everypawdy!
Hope y’all have had an uhMAZing start to 2022! Holy spicoli I can’t believe it was 4/20 already! *shoutout to all those who celebrated*
Anywho, I wanted to tell y’all some news that you may or may not have seen on our instagram. That news is that I, Rachel, owner of Pet Project LA, adopted another doggo! Say what?! Yes, it’s true. For those of you who are new to tuning in, I already have a big ol’ pittie named Shakespeare and my Hooman BFF has Angus (also a pit) and Buffy the kitty cat.
Pictured: Shakespeare, left. Angus, right.
Pictured: Buffy the kitty cat.
But now, there’s a new kid in town and his name is Paco 🥰 Weighing in at 5.5 lbs, he is the cutest lil guy. He is quite attached to me already and pretty much follows me everywhere I go. LOL. That hooman BFF of mine says that I imprinted on him after he came home from the shelter, so just like a little bird, he is right there behind me every time I turn around.
Pictured: Me and Paco on the day I adopted him!
So, here’s the lowdown on Paco: 1. I adopted him from the North Central Animal Shelter. Side note: I honestly did not know if he would be OK in Downtown Los Angeles (loud noises all the time, lots of people, etc.). He was scared out of his mind, so nervous, and shaking uncontrollably. 😭😭😭 2. I decided to go for it, and within a few hours, he was coming out of his shell. Also 😭😭😭 3. He is around 4 years old. 4. He is a chihuahua mix (likely terrier or something because his neck is SCRUFFY). 5. He got neutered at North Figueroa Animal Hospital (they are one of the only places that takes the voucher from the city). 6. I LOVE HIM!!!
Pictured: Paco, the new kid.
On the importance of adoption…I was lucky enough to be raised in a family that instilled the importance of animal adoption at a young age, but there are lots of people (maybe even you) who don’t understand the importance of getting a pet from a rescue or shelter. When you adopt a pet, not only are you literally saving a life, but you are impacting society-at-large to take steps towards better lives for the animals we love. Less backyard breeders, less puppies and kittens being born (who may end up in a shelter, rescue, or worse), less animal cruelty in general!
It is not that people who buy dogs, cats, or other animals are necessarily bad people, it’s just that there is a lot that humans do to animals that are terrible and baby animals that are being sold create a lot of opportunity for animal cruelty, etc. Let me just say that as a person with a pet supply store, I have heard lots of crazy stories about some sketch-a$$ people selling pets. Who knows what their life was like before getting to the customer who bought them (not to mention their mom’s, dad’s, brothers’, and sisters’ lives)...?
Now that you’ve read my adoption rant, you can likely guess what will come next. That’s right, folks: the importance of spaying and neutering! Spay and neuter initiatives are SO important because it makes having more baby animals impossible for the pets who have the surgery done! You’re like, “well duh”! That means less baby animals being taken to rescues, shelters, or worse. That means people avoiding the situation of having a litter of baby animals to take care of, which is more than a full-time job. Sheesh, I couldn’t do it and I am a pet supply store owner!
So, I have adopted a pet from a shelter and I made sure that my new fur fam addition is neutered. No baby mama drama for Paco or me! Hip hip hooray!
For those of you who are wanting to adopt a dog, cat, or other pet, you totally should! If you are worried about the little baby being the right fit for you and your home/other animals/situation, you can always sign up to be a foster for your local shelter(s) or an animal rescue.
Here’s the link to the general website for LA Animal Services (all the different shelters in and around LA). You can look at adoptable animals in all the shelters here. And here’s the application to become a foster with LA Animal Services.
Some other great organizations and rescues in and around LA are:
I guess that’s all for now, folks! Thanks for tuning in!
<3
P.S. If you have any questions about the above information or want to know more, please email me directly at rachel@petprojectla.com.
Comments
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for posting your story on saving shelter animals! I also think people don’t think about this enough while there are thousands of homeless pets out here. I am proud to say all my fur babies are rescues as well ( a couple from the shelter and the other 2 I found as strays on the street. ) They all have wonderful and unique personalities. Especially my terrier mix Axl and my Orange Tabby Bowie! I can’t imagine my life without them. So hopefully people reading this will know there are a lot great animals waiting to be adopted, it may be where you find your own loyal dog or cat best friend! Pet Project also has a lot of cool stuff for your pets at a convenient location. I find stuff there that I need and it’s awesome that it’s walking distance. So great for DTLA residents in the area. Thank you for all you do!