10 Things to Consider When Adopting a Pet

The decision to bring home a new pet is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Whenever you add a new furry family member to your household, you should think carefully before doing so to ensure that you not only give your pet a good life, you give them an excellent one. So what are some things you should think about before adopting a new pet?

Make sure you consider these 10 things before adopting a pet.

1. Why do you want to adopt?

Getting a tattoo, buying a car, and adopting a pet have one thing in common: if you do it out of impulse, it probably won’t end well.  Having a pet is a big life decision that requires a lot of consideration.  Do the proper research before you adopt.

2. How much time can you give?

Pets require a lot of love and attention.  If you have a busy schedule, think about how a pet would fit into that schedule and how much time you can give in between school, work, etc.  If you are never home or travel a lot, adopting a pet might not be the best idea.

3. How committed are you?

If you do have the time, are you willing to commit that time to caring for your pet?   Make sure you put your pets’ needs first before you go out for the weekend.

4. Do you have the funds?

Going out to adopt your new pet isn’t the only time you’ll be spending money on it.  Whether you have a dog, cat, hamster, or fish, they’ll need food, toys, visits to the veterinarian, etc.  Also, consider the fact that when your pet is in the house, your furniture may get ruined or your carpets may get stained.  Do you have money set aside to clean up after them?

5. Where are you getting your pet?

Doing the proper research includes looking for the right place to adopt your pet.  Look online to find your local shelter or on social media to see if anybody’s giving their pet up for adoption.

6. How does your family feel?

Do any of your family members or roommates have allergies?  Maybe one of them isn’t the biggest fan of animals.  Let them know you’re thinking of having a pet in the house before you bring one home.

7. How is your living space?

If you have a tiny apartment, it’s probably not the best idea to adopt a huge German shepherd.  Make sure the size of your house is big enough for your pet to roam around in.  Also, having a backyard is ideal for your dog to run and play.  If you don’t have a backyard, make sure you have the time to walk your dog in the neighborhood or at a park.

8. What type of pet do you want?

Do you want a young, active puppy that you can train, or an already-trained, fully-grown dog?  If you have little kids in the house, what breed of dogs do best with kids?  Also, think about which pets shed and which pets don’t if you aren’t a fan of vacuuming all the time.

9. Will you have a pet sitter?

When it’s vacation time and you can’t take your pet with you, always have a pet sitter in mind.  Worst-case scenario: you’re already halfway to the Bahamas when you realize you left your pet at home with nobody to feed it. Consider checking out Sitting for a Cause when looking for the perfect sitter to take care of your pet in your absence!

10. How will you train your pet?

Some pets are already trained, while other pets bark, bite, or relieve themselves inside your house.  How will you make sure your pet has perfect manners? Will you train them yourself or will obedience classes be in your pet’s future?

Did I leave anything out? What would you suggest people consider when adopting a pet? Leave a comment and let us know!