Food for Thought Before Adopting a Pet
The fact that you’re thinking about adopting from a shelter or rescue means you’re a responsible and caring person. But before you make the decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions: Why do you want a dog or a cat? It’s amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they bring home a new fur friend. Adopting is a long-term commitment. Adopting a dog or cat just because it’s “the thing to do” or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don’t forget that pets may be with you 10 or more years. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible JOY but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments.
Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year – just like having a child. Many animals sitting in a shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.
Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high at times. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet house trained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership. Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don’t allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. Toddlers can injure a puppy if not monitored 24/7. If you travel frequently as part of your work, or plan on having a child soon, make sure you have a plan in place. There are actually videos to watch on preparing a dog or cat for a new baby.
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active – they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you’ll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation? You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service. It is highly recommended to have in-your-home sitters versus boarding. This provides much less stress on your dog or cat. If you are going to use a boarding facility, do your research.
Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime. And please, make sure a plan is in place in the event that something unexpected happens to you and you are no longer physically able to care for your dog or cat.
Get A Pet For Life
Sure, it’s a long list of questions, but a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important. ALL of our shelters and rescues are packed to the brim with no more room. They are beyond full with staggering numbers of homeless animals, even puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at shelters who were obtained by people who didn’t think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they adopted the animal, and gave up on them. Please, don’t make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love for the life of the pet.
Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year – just like having a child. Many animals sitting in a shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.
Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high at times. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet house trained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership. Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don’t allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. Toddlers can injure a puppy if not monitored 24/7. If you travel frequently as part of your work, or plan on having a child soon, make sure you have a plan in place. There are actually videos to watch on preparing a dog or cat for a new baby.
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active – they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you’ll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation? You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service. It is highly recommended to have in-your-home sitters versus boarding. This provides much less stress on your dog or cat. If you are going to use a boarding facility, do your research.
Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime. And please, make sure a plan is in place in the event that something unexpected happens to you and you are no longer physically able to care for your dog or cat.
Get A Pet For Life
Sure, it’s a long list of questions, but a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important. ALL of our shelters and rescues are packed to the brim with no more room. They are beyond full with staggering numbers of homeless animals, even puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at shelters who were obtained by people who didn’t think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they adopted the animal, and gave up on them. Please, don’t make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love for the life of the pet.
