This is your sign to adopt a pet (2024)

The B-Side

Plus: đŸ„” A wet hot Mass. summer

This is your sign to adopt a pet (1)

By Gia Orsino, The B-Side and Emily Schario, The B-Side

It’s Tuesday, Boston.

💾It’s also an important deadline for a round of student loan forgiveness.The Biden administration is planning aone-time cancellationor credit for some federal borrowers, but you may need to opt-in by today to qualify. See if you’re eligiblehere.

👀What’s on tap today:

  • A wet hot Mass. summer
  • More encampment updates
  • Two pitches, zero strikes

Up first


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMILY!

đŸ„łIt’s B-Side queen Emily Schario’s birthday!Whether you know it or not, if you love the B-Side, you probably also love our Head of Content,Emily, who has put her heart and soul into this project from day one. And, on a personal note, she’s also a pretty great boss.

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Now, onto our regularly scheduled programming 


LIFESTYLE

This is your sign to adopt a pet

This is your sign to adopt a pet (2)Image: Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff. Illustration: Gia Orsino.

Young people have thepet adoption bug— for better orfor worse.

Since it’s national Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, we spoke to local shelters and recent adopters about their experience, and how to know if it’s the right time to take the plunge.

Here’s what they said:

đŸ¶COVIDchanged the ecosystem of pet adoption.But not necessarily for the reasons you might think. Thespike of pet adoptionsduring COVID and subsequent issues with overburdened shelters was real. But the relationship is less about training woes or returning to the office, and more about people beingpriced out of pet ownership, according to Cynthia Sweet, founder ofSweet Paws Rescue, a Mass.-based foster and rescue. Her organization’s intake of locally abandoned dogs has increased from 20 or so in 2019 to over 130so far this year,she said.

đŸ±The way some younger adopters look at pet ownership is changing.Partof the risein younger adopters seems to be the realization that pets can have a positive effect on your mental health, a fact that Gen Z and Millenials are “a lot more emotionally tuned to,” according to Corrine Bourgoin, MSPCA-Angell’s shelter operations supervisor. For 23-year-old Kathryn Cruz, adopting her pup was a conscious decision to help her through a rough time emotionally. Cruz said her dog has changed her life for the better, including improving her mood and exercise habits.

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⏰But don’t get it twisted: Adopting only works if you work it.If you’re adopting a dog, you need to be ready to commit “a couple of hours a day,” to training, exercise, and love, said Sweet, especially in the beginning. So if you have a busy or inflexible schedule, adopting a pup might not be for you. But if you still have the adoption bug, a pet that requires less of a rigid schedule — like a cat, rabbit, or guinea pig — could provide that emotional fulfillment and be a better fit for your lifestyle, Bourgoin said.

💾Plus: Consider the costs.It’s not always an easy pill to swallow, but pet adoptions are pricey. First-year estimated costs for cats and dogsboth top $1,000, but when you take into consideration any unforeseen bills, those furry friends can cost much more. All in, Cruz said she has spent over $3,000 on her pup in the first few months.

❀If it is the right choice for you, adopting can be life-changing.“It’s just been a joy to have someone who is ecstatic to see you, and to cuddle with,” Cruz said. “Pets just bring so much joy to your life. Despite the hardships [with training and scheduling], it’s just been worth it.”

CITY

Quick & dirty headlines

This is your sign to adopt a pet (3)Image: Rick Cinclair/AP

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đŸ„”It’s going to be another wet hot Massachusetts summer.Literally. According to a recently releasedlong-range forecastfrom the National Weather Service, Mass. (along with the rest of New England) is “likely” to see above-average temperatures this summer compared to the past two decades. And if you have painful memories of last summer’s rainy weekends, you might want to start preparing to run it back: The projections are also “leaning” toward above-average precipitation in most of the region.

â›ș Local college officials are coming down onPro-Palestinianencampments.At MIT, college president Sally Kornbluth cited violations of campus rules and concerns for safetyin a video messageasking students to remove the encampments “soon,” while at Tufts, university officials said that the encampment will need to beremoved in preparationfor their graduation ceremony. However, both groups havemade it clearthey don’t intend to move unless their demands are met. Meanwhile, at Harvard, administrators have requested that over 30 protestors appear in front of theirdisciplinary committeein the coming days.

😋Boston’s got food. We’ve got food news.First up, a closing.Grasshopper, Allston’s beloved vegan Asian spot, isshutting downafter 27 years on May 29 due to “leasing disagreements,” but plans to reopen in a new location. In brighter news,Clover Food Lab, the unique farm-to-table fast-casual chain, hasemerged from bankruptcywith plans to expand throughout New England over the next few years. And as for openings,Jahunger, an Uyghur restaurant helmed by a James Beard semifinalist, isexpandingto Cambridge in early May.

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⚟Some Sox games are celebrating more than baseball.The team just droppedthe schedulefor this year’s cultural and identity celebrations, which are tied to different games across the season. They’ll kick things off with an AAPI celebration night on May 1, followed by 16 others over the course of the summer. At each one, you can expect themed entertainment, food, pregame ceremonies, and other types of giveaways. Bonus: If you grab tickets for any of them throughthis link, you can get the extremely cool merch that comes with them.

ONE LAST THING

Two pitches, zero strikes

This is your sign to adopt a pet (4)Images: Michael Dwyer/AP. Illustration: Gia Orsino.

Two of our favorite New Englanders took to the mound at Fenway this weekend.On Friday night, Maine native andSexiest Man AlivePatrick Dempsey; and on Saturday, overnight sensation slash Watertown resident Noah Kahan each got the opportunity to throw afirst pitch.

But unfortunately, neither quite managed to get the ball over the plate.

In Dempsey’s case, he approached the mound with confidence, and his solid wind-up suggested a potential strike. But just before the plate, the ball lost its power and bounced into the catcher’s leg, elicitinga huge groanfrom Dempsey.

And in Kahan’s case, between his pre-pitch head shake and (TBH) lackluster form, the throw seemed to bea lost causefrom the beginning. The ball came up way short, causing him to immediately crouch down in embarrassment and cover his face with his glove.

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— Written by Gia Orsino

⚟ Thanks for reading!We’re not saying we could do better, but Red Sox, if you’re reading, wewouldlike to try. <3

đŸ‘«The results are in:60% of readers say that they haven’t tried friendship-making groups in Boston, but would be willing to give them a shot! One reader said: “Making friends is fr hard, sign me up for group activities.”

💃Keep up with us@BostonBSideonIG,TikTok, andTwitter. Send comments and suggestions to[emailprotected]or[emailprotected].

This is your sign to adopt a pet (5)

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This is your sign to adopt a pet (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3 3 3 rule for adopted pets? â€ș

The 3-3-3 rule is a set of guidelines for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after adopting a new dog. The goal of the 3-3-3 rule is to help the dog adjust to their new environment and build a strong foundation for a long and happy life with their new family.

What to say when asked why do you want to adopt a dog? â€ș

10 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog
  • You're Saving More Than One Life. ...
  • Unconditional Love! ...
  • You're Giving a Second Chance to a Deserving Animal. ...
  • You Get a Chance to Stay Active. ...
  • You Have Someone New to Shop For. ...
  • You're Fighting Back Against Cruel Breeding. ...
  • Destress and Unwind with Someone Who Will Never Judge You.
Oct 16, 2019

What does it mean to adopt a pet? â€ș

This means that you adopt the pet, you are responsible for all supplies and care for the pet, except for the spay or neuter surgery which is the shelter's responsibility. Once the surgery is done, the adoption is completed.

Why adopt a pet vs buying? â€ș

When you adopt a pet, you are saving a life. When you buy a pet, you not only deny a homeless pet a home, you are supporting an industry that thrives on short-changing the welfare of animals.

What are red flags when adopting a dog? â€ș

If the person says a third party must deliver the dog to you, it's a red flag. If you aren't allowed to meet the pup in person before you agree to adopt them, it's a red flag! And if the person with the dog says the animal must be shipped to you and you must pay upfront, it's also a red flag!

What is the rule of 12 dogs? â€ș

By the time your puppy is five (5) months old, your puppy should have: Experienced twelve (12) different surfaces – Wood, woodchips, grass, asphalt/cement, tile, wet grass, rocks, gravel, dirt, mud, puddles, grates, uneven surfaces, metal, on a table, on a chair, etc.

How to pass a pet adoption interview? â€ș

Provide as many details as possible about your living situation, family experience and how you plan to care for the animal. Explain your previous experience with raising an animal, including training and exercise regiments. The more information you're able to provide, the better you'll look on your application.

Why don't more people adopt pets? â€ș

The stigma behind the shelter pets

Although many animal lovers see adopting a dog, cat, or other pets as a badge of honor, many others perceive rescue animals as needy, less healthy, and difficult to train. Therefore, most people don't prefer adopting pets from rescue or shelter homes; instead, they contact a breeder.

Why do some dogs not get adopted? â€ș

Since 'black dog syndrome' is mostly a myth, many more important factors are considered when adopting a dog compared to the color of their coat. These include the following: Age: Puppies get adopted quicker than senior dogs. Breed: Dog breeds perceived as “aggressive,” like Pitbulls, are less likely to be adopted.

Do pets know they are adopted? â€ș

So while dogs may not understand the full concept of “adoption,” they likely have self-awareness that significant changes are happening in their lives when placed with a new family. Their senses and emotions tell them change is taking place. Dogs do not have a conceptual understanding of adoption in the way humans do.

What are the disadvantages of adopting a pet? â€ș

Cons to rescue group or shelter dog adoptions
  • You may be unable to find the exact breed of dog you want if you're only going to shelters.
  • You may be unable to adopt the dog you like immediately. ...
  • You're faced with answering a lot of personal questions and submitting a lot of paperwork.
Mar 26, 2016

Why is adopting a pet less expensive? â€ș

Many pets in the shelter system are already spayed or neutered and if not, shelters often receive a discount from their participating veterinarian and passes the savings on to the adoptive family. Also, adoption fees are much less expensive than buying from a breeder or pet store.

How does adopting a pet save their life? â€ș

Because you'll save a life.

When you adopt, you save a loving animal by making them part of your family and open up shelter space for another animal who might desperately need it.

Why it's better to adopt? â€ș

You help break the cycle of pet overpopulation.

There are not enough homes for all the animals that are born every year. Adopting from a shelter helps weaken the pet overpopulation cycle. Each year 8 to 12 million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes for them.

How many animals are euthanized each year in the US? â€ș

On average, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized every year in the United States. Shelters around the country euthanize an estimated 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats each year.

What is the Rule of Three for new pets? â€ș

The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your cat to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months. Three Days: Be Patient! The first 3 days are the initial “detox period” as the cat transitions from the shelter to your home.

What is the adoption rule of 3s? â€ș

That's why DCHS adoption counselors always talk about the Rule of Three, a timeline that should give you an idea of how your pet will adjust after three days, three weeks, and three months.

What is the 333 rule for cats? â€ș

While there are some cats that automatically adjust to a new home as soon as they get there, most do not. The general rule when adopting any animal is the rule of 3-3-3: three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine and three months to start to feel at home.

What is the Rule of Three for animals? â€ș

The amount of time each individual pet needs to adjust to their new homes will vary, but the 3-3-3 rule helps give an approximation of what new pet owners can expect. The 3-3-3 rule refers to the first 3 days, the first 3 weeks, and the first 3 months after bringing a shelter animal home.

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