Considerations Before Adopting a New Pet

1. Is anyone in the home allergic to animals?

2. Caring for a pet can be expensive. Can the family afford to provide food, supplies and medical care for the pet?

3. Some pets can live to be 15 years or more. Are you ready to commit to the care of a pet for many years?

4. Pets require daily care (feeding, walking, cleaning litter boxes, grooming, etc.) Do you have the time to devote to proper care of the pet?

5. If your family travels a lot, be ready to make arrangements for the pet to have care while you are on vacation. This can be expensive.

6. Some apartment and condominium buildings have rules regarding pet ownership. Be sure that pets are permitted where you live.

7. Behavioral problems are the basis for the majority of pets which are returned to shelters. Are you willing to commit to obedience training for dogs and the investment of time when behavioral problems arise in both dogs and cats?

8. If you already own a pet, how will it react to a new addition to the family? Before you choose a particular dog breed, do your research. An 8 pound puppy may grow up to be over 100 pounds when it is fully grown. Certain breeds are not particularly good with children. Some breeds are prone to a variety of medical problems and could need costly veterinary care. Some dogs such as Border Collies and Jack Russell Terriers are very energetic and require hours of exercise each day. Just because reptiles (iguanas, snakes) are kept in cages, does not mean their care is simple and easy. These pets require a lot of special care regarding diet and a specially designed environment. Before getting one of these pets, buy books, or research them at the library or on the internet.

Please give the decision of acquiring a pet a lot of thought. Getting a new pet should never be done on a whim and is something no one should regret. Many people think that giving a pet as a gift is a wonderful idea. Never give an animal as a gift without asking the intended recipient first. Giving someone a surprise gift can be nice, but it should never be a pet.