What to Consider Before Adopting a Pet

If your like most people, falling in love with a pet is easy. Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work

Adopting a pet though, is a a big decision. Dogs require lots of time, money ans commitment - more than 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion. The fact that your considering adopting from an animal shelter means you're on the right track. It's definitely the responsible, caring thing to do. But here are some things to think over first:

Why do you want a pet? Many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before getting a pet. Adopting a pet 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 for 10, 15 or even 20 years.

1. Do you have time for a pet? Dogs can not be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelters are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.


2. Can you afford a pet? The cost of owning a pet can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying or neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food and other expenses add up quickly.


3. Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestation, scratched-up furniture, accidents from dogs who aren't yet house trained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.


4. 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 adopt and bring a companion home.


5. Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have children under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a pet. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.


6. Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to thin 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.


7. 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.


8. 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 pet 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.


9. Are you prepared to keep and care for your pet for his or her entire life? When you adopt a pet you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime. That said, good people sometimes find themselves in unfortunate circumstances that prevent them from keeping their pets. if this should happen, be prepared to take a proactive role in finding a new home for your animal companion.

It may seem like 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.

Many of the shelters homeless dogs are puppies, victims of people who irresponsibly allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many, and usually more, dogs at the shelter who are more than a year old. These animals were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the animal.

Please don't make this 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.

Article originally posted October 28, 2009 by the Humane Society of the United States.
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/adoption_questions_ask_yourself.html