Make room for a needy animal friend Rick Hohlt, Publisher 06-11-2009 Ruston Daily Leader

If you have a little extra love in your heart, you may want to consider adopting a pet. There are many homeless dogs and cats in our area that have a lot of love to give to the person or family willing to open up their hearts and homes to a new family member. Adopting a shelter pet can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. Giving a warm and loving home to an animal in need not only improves the dog's (or cat's) quality of live, it will bring joy to your life as well.

Lincoln Parish's animal fostering organization 4 Paws Rescue Inc. has recently been inundated with pets in need of good homes. Their shelters are at capacity, and the group is having to turn animals away because there's nowhere to keep them. If you have room at your home, please consider adopting a new friend. Or if you can't take on a pet, make a donation of time, supplies or cash to help 4 Paws continue its good work. Learn more at www.4pawsrescueinc.com.

Adopting a pet provides an opportunity to teach children about responsibility and the rewards of hard work. Bringing a new puppy or kitten home adds many new chores and duties to the household, and if your child is ready to take them on (with a little help from Mom or Dad), why not encourage him? Caring for and training a dog takes patience and persistence - both good qualitites to foster in your child. Plus, when he sees his hard work paying off as the dog learns to sit, shake and roll over, there's no doubt he'll feel proud of himellf. Mom and Dad will be proud, too.

Although the puppies and kittens are some of the cutest pet shelter residents, we also encouage people to consider taking home an older pet. Many times, these dogs and cats will be a little calmer and require less maintenance than the babies.

No matter what kind of pet you choose, it's important to be a responsible pet owner. Keeping them safe, well fed, exercised and spayed or neutered is key to nurturing a happy and healthy pet that will be a loving part of your family for years to come.