| Are you considering a pet for yourself or your | | | | willing to keep and take care of the pet for their |
| family? If you are considering adoption, there are | | | | whole life? |
| some questions you need to consider before bringing | | | | Once you have considered the questions and have |
| one of those wonderful animals home. | | | | answered that you would still like to have a pet, next |
| The first question is why do you actually want one? | | | | you need to figure out where you are going to |
| Don't adopt a pet because it's just the thing to do or | | | | adopt one. A great recommendation would be to |
| because your children are annoying you whining for a | | | | adopt from a Rescue Shelter. You have a great |
| pet. Remember, your pet could be with you up to 20 | | | | selection of animals that have gone through |
| years. The next question is deciding if you have time | | | | screenings for good behavior as well as being healthy. |
| for one. The pets can't be ignored. They require | | | | If you are searching for a purebred, they even |
| those things for life such as food, water, exercise | | | | usually have those as well. Between 25 and 30 |
| and care, along with companionship. | | | | percent of the population is purebred. |
| Another question is - are you financially able to take | | | | Many of the pets have just come from situations |
| care of your pet? The pet can be expensive with | | | | where someone wasn't really sure they wanted to |
| the costs of licenses, training classes, vet care, toys, | | | | take care of it. It's sad that about half of all sheltered |
| grooming, food, litter, as well as other costs. Are you | | | | animals must be put to sleep due to lack of homes. |
| ready to deal with a pet that creates problems? Pets | | | | The pets have had temperament assessments to |
| can be trouble with furniture that gets scratched or | | | | make sure the adoption match is perfect. |
| bitten, accidents in your home, become infested with | | | | There are roughly between 6 and 8 million pets, |
| fleas, medical emergencies, among other things. Are | | | | namely dogs and cats, put into shelters annually. |
| you allowed to have a pet where you live now? A | | | | Unfortunately, there are only 3,500 shelters in the |
| lot of rental places won't let you have pets or hold | | | | U.S., which if you look at the numbers just are not |
| restrictions as to size and type of pet. Be sure you | | | | enough to house all the animals. That's another |
| are aware of those rules before bringing a pet home. | | | | reason to adopt from a shelter instead of buying |
| You need to consider whether this is the appropriate | | | | from a pet store. You will be able to give a dog or |
| time to adopt a pet. If you have children under the | | | | cat a chance to live. |
| age of six, you might want to wait before adopting. | | | | Remember, there is a really neat bond between a |
| If you travel a lot, adopting a pet would be better if | | | | person and his or her pet. Pets give unconditional love |
| you waited until things were more settled. Do you | | | | and ask for nothing in return. The caregiver shows |
| have the right kind of living arrangement? Do some | | | | his or her love by feeding, loving, and giving the pet |
| research on which type of pet would be best suited | | | | shelter. Animals can be great stress relievers as well |
| for where you live and your lifestyle. Who is going to | | | | as help us when we are not physically feeling good. |
| care for your pet when you are gone? You will need | | | | The important factor to consider in adopting a pet is |
| to find either a friend, family, or find a kennel or | | | | that it will take a lot of time, money, commitment, |
| pet-sitter. | | | | and effort - sometimes up to 20 years; so please |
| Are you going to take the caring for your pet | | | | consider this has a big decision to make. Don't make |
| responsibly? You need to have them spayed or | | | | it on whether your kid wants one or anything else, |
| neutered as well as obey whatever laws your | | | | unless you truly want a pet. The shelters you will visit |
| community has on leashes. Be sure to put an ID tag | | | | are full of puppies, kittens, as well as older animals |
| on your pet to let others know where the pet | | | | that have been given up because they were |
| belongs. Not only those things, but also you will need | | | | irresponsible in their decision. Please don't make that |
| to feed and care for them as well. Finally, are you | | | | mistake, for the animal's sake. |