ADOPTION INFORMATION
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE ADOPTING:
What type of pet is best for my lifestyle?
Believe it or not, not all pets are created equally. It is never a good idea to wake up one day and decide to get the first dog or cat that you see. You can't pick a pet by how cute it is!!!! Just like any other big decision you need to do your research to find out what type and breed of pet is best suited for your lifestyle. If you live in an apartment, you don't want a large dog. If you don't want to spend a lot of time grooming, you don't want a long haired dog. If you don't want to clean a litter box every day, you don't want a cat. If your kids want a guinea pig, do you really want to have to clean its cage every other day and take care of it when they loose interest? Remember this pet is going to rely on you for everything, if you can't provide it with everything him/her needs you and the pet will be better off without each other.
Can I have pets where I live?
If you live in an apartment or rent a house make sure that you are allowed to have pets. Some landlords may require a pet deposit that may not be refundable, some may require that the pet be spayed/neutered or declawed, and some may not allow certain pets in the home. Just because your neighbor has a pet, does not mean that they are allowed in the building. Please check with your landlord before bring a pet into your home.
Can I afford to have a pet?
Most pets life for at least 8-15 years. You need to be financially stable to afford the
many costs which go along with keeping a pet. Some cost include: food, toys, treats,
collars, yearly vaccinations, annual vet check-ups, city pet licensing fee, grooming, spaying/neutering, training, and boarding fees. Don't forget about emergency
vet costs. When the unknown happens, the costs are very expensive.
Make sure that you can provide the best for your pet.
Can I afford to have the pet spayed or neutered?
If you adopt an intact pet that is 6 months or older, you are required to spay/neuter the pet within one month. If you adopt an intact pet that is 6 months or younger, you are required to spay/neuter the pet by the time he/she turns 7 months of age. These fees can range up to $300, make sure you are able to afford this large initial cost. Please call your vet of choice before adopting and talk with them about the costs of vet care.
Do I have enough time to spend with my pet?
Our lives are busy enough, but adding a pet into the mix can take up a lot of time. Pets crave attention, love, and exercise. Depending on the type of pet you take home, this may take up an additional couple hours of your time a day. Most behavioral issues for dogs are caused by them being cooped up in a house all day and not being exercised or socialized daily. Most dogs don't care that you had a hard day at work and just want to rest, they are ready to play in the yard or go for a walk. Are you going to be able to spend the amount of time with your pet that he/she will need?
Do I keep an immaculately clean house?
If you do, things will probably change once you bring a pet into your home. Excessive shedding is a main issue with dogs and cats. Even if you feed a high quality diet and brush you pet on a daily basis you will still find some hair on your clothing, floors, and furniture. If you pet gets sick, has an upset stomach, diarrhea, or has trouble being housetrained; are you going to be ok with cleaning up messes on your floor or having stains on your carpet?
Am I planning on moving?
Adopting an animal is a long-term commitment that you are making to your pet. If you are planning on moving or are considering it for the future, make sure that you are committed to finding a place to take your pet along to. It is very hard to find a new home, but finding one to take your pet home to (especially an apartment) might turn out to be very difficult.
Please consider these things and many others before looking for a pet to take home.
Adopting an animal is a very big decision and should not be done on
the spur of the moment.
