Glamaour Era magazine Glamaour Era India | Page 40
Animals play a meaningful role in the lives of their owners. In fact,
most people consider their furry friends part of the family. And while
dogs and cats tend to be the most common companions, nowadays, the
beloved family pet can come in many different shapes, sizes and species.
Families across the country are opening their hearts and homesteads to
various types of livestock, proving once and for all that not all pets have
paws.
Leanne Lauricella, founder of the popular rescue organization Goats of
Anarchy and a consultant for Tractor Supply Company, has experienced
this rsthand. Lauricella cares for more than 40 special needs,
orphaned and disabled goats, as well as two pigs, and while she loves
her hoofed herd, she says families should be aware of the unique
challenges that come with raising such a pet.
“It's common for people to see a cute baby pig or goat and
think, 'I want one!'" says Lauricella. "These animals are
adorable and make for great companions, but they do require
a special type of commitment from their owners and it's
important for people to understand the responsibilities before
deciding to adopt.”
To help determine if livestock adoption is right for you, and to provide
some tips for families who are getting started, Lauricella and Tractor
Supply give us a glimpse of what life with livestock really looks like.
They get big
It may sound obvious, but many would-be adopters forget that the once
small, adorable baby animal they adopted will one day grow into a
full-edged adult. A pot-bellied pig, for example, may start out nice
and little, but it will hardly be considered a lap animal when it reaches
a whopping 100-250 pounds.
They like having friends
The majority of farm animals thrive in a herd or flock, and having
companions is ex emely beneficial to their long-term health and
happiness. Before you get started, make sure you have the time and
resources to care for multiple animals.
Adjusting your lifestyle
It's important to note that your new animal isn't going to adjust to your
lifestyle. With farm animals, Lauricella says, it's the other way around.
Livestock animals generally rise with the sun, and when they do, you
will too. And remember, there's no snooze button on a hungry goat.
A space to fit their needs
Livestock animals need space to roam, but don't underestimate the
importance of also keeping them properly contained. While the size and
strength of a fence will vary depending on the animals you plan to adopt
(you can research containment options for specic animals at
TractorSupply.com), quality fencing should always be a high priority.
The last thing you want is for your animals to outsmart their fence and
roam into a nearby farm, eld or neighborhood.