THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE ADOPTING
A NEW
FURRY FAMILY MEMBER
by Kari Winters
 Never get an animal as a gift. It's hard to make that all-important
match of personalities, and the other person might not be ready
for a lifetime commitment.
A dog or cat can have a life span of 10-20 years or more.
Are you ready for that long a responsibility? If something happened
to you, what type of provisions could you make for this animal?
Do you want a "baby" or an older animal? If you're
older yourself, an older animal might be a better choice.
How much time do you have to spend with it? If you're interested
in a puppy or kitten remember that they need a lot of time,
training, energy, and patience. Even an older animal will need
some time to learn the rules in its new home.
Do you travel or go on frequent (or even infrequent) vacations?
If so, who would care for your animal?
What type of situation are you bringing this animal into?
Are there small children? Is there a lot of room or is the area
small? Is the environment quiet or is there constant activity?
If you rent, does your landlord allow pets? What would you
do if that rule ever changed? (Giving up the animal isn't a
good option.)
Can you afford to care for this animal? There'll be expenses
for things like food and litter, as well as veterinarian bills.
What type of personality do you want? Are you looking for
one who'll spend the whole evening on your lap or one who's
more independent? Do you want a dog that can go jogging and
camping with you or one that doesn't require much exercise?
It's important to know that this isn't necessarily related to
size. Toy poodles can require a lot of exercise, while Newfoundland's
are more sedate. If you're interested in a particular breed
(dog or cat), there are wonderful breed rescues, but research
any breed before you get it.
If you have another companion animal at home, consider that
animal's species and needs when considering adding to your family.
If you still think that you want to adopt, take this information
to the shelter or rescue so that they can help you make a love
match that will last a lifetime.
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