Pets Can Improve Your Health and Boost Your Happiness
Submitted by Sonya Reichel, Executive Director for the Georgian Triangle Humane Society
Inge, a senior resident of Thornbury, adopted a cat last Fall from the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. The decision made a major impact on her life.
Adopting a pet from an animal shelter provides a homeless pet with a second chance at a forever home, even better, the addition to your family is beneficial to your health.
The GTHS is an animal shelter located in the west end of Collingwood. The shelter is a hum of activity as an average of 20-40 homeless cats and dogs are brought to the facility on a weekly basis. These pets are placed into adoptive homes by skilled volunteers and staff. The process takes a few days to several months, but the outcome is almost always, a happy pet and an excited new pet guardian. The silver lining? Adopters report improvements to their physical and mental health.
“Without my cat I would be lost. They are the love of my life. My husband of 53 years died last year after losing a long and slow battle with cancer. Adopting Taz (a GTHS cat) changed my life. He wakes me up every morning at 6am and demands that I get out of bed. He makes me laugh and he comforts me when I was down. I am so thankful for his companionship.” – Inge V., GTHS adopter and volunteer
Studies at Purdue University have found that pets can help to increase heart health, decrease stress, boost your mood, connect you to the community and even boost your child’s immune system.
The process of adopting a pet from an animal shelter can sometimes appear daunting, especially, to a new pet guardian. There is no doubt that bringing home a new furry friend will change your schedule and routine so being prepared can help ensure the process is smooth and successful.
To answer questions about the adoption process, the GTHS is inviting the public for a workshop on Monday November 21st at the animal shelter on 549 Tenth Line. Folks will be given the opportunity to talk with adoption counselors, learn about the responsibilities of pet ownership and meet some adoptable pets. The workshop starts at 6pm and will run for approximately one hour.
To learn more about this event, visit www.gths.ca/adoption-workshop
