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Adopting an animal is a big decision. It
requires changes in lifestyle everyone should
consider before taking the leap. Take a moment
to look over the following ten considerations prior
to adopting a pet:
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Adopt a pet for the
right reasons.
Is this a spur of the moment
decision? Did you see a cute, furry
face in a store window? Is it
because your children are hounding you for
one? Or is it because you have
decided that you want the companionship
that an animal can provide during its
lifetime?
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Consult your entire
household.
Everyone who has to live with the pet
should be in agreement about adopting
it. If you are adopting it for your
children, are you willing to care for the
pet once the kids lose interest?
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Consider your
lifestyle.
Do you travel a lot or work most of
the day? Do you have young children
or other pets that may not interact well
with a new pet? Is an energetic
puppy that needs to be housebroken, prone
to chewing everything, and in need of
obedience training right for you?
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Evaluate living
accommodations.
Many rental places do not allow pets,
or restrict what type of pet you can
have. Do you anticipate a move in
the near future?
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Not everyone can live
with a pet.
Is anyone in your household allergic
to pets? Is anyone in the house
fearful of that type of pet?
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Analyze time
management.
Do you have time to train, socialize,
and offer companionship to an
animal? Do you have the time to
feed, clean up after, groom, exercise, and
play with a pet?
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Budget expenses for
your pet.
Do you have the money to pay for food,
heartworm preventive, toys, bowls,
collars, cages, obedience lessons, kitty
litter, and other such expenses? Do
you have the money to pay for visits to
the veterinarian and proper vaccinations
for this pet?
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Pets need room to
roam.
Do you have the appropriate space for
the type of pet you are considering?
Are you looking to adopt a large,
energetic dog to live in your studio
apartment?
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Troubleshooting 101.
Are you prepared to deal with the
problems that may arise in pet ownership,
like chewed or scratched furniture, flea
infestations, accidents on the good
carpet, behavioral problems, etc.?
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Prepare for a lifetime
commitment.
Are you prepared to make a commitment
to that pet for its entire lifetime?
They don't remain cute, adorable puppies
and kittens forever. Are you
prepared to make the commitment to be a
responsible pet owner for the next 10 to
20 years (the average life span of many
dogs and cats)?
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Adapted
from the
American Humane Association
Back
to HOPE's Adoptables
HOPE for
Animals, Inc.
P.O. Box 1341
Thibodaux, Louisiana 70302
non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization
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