Before You Adopt

If you are considering acquiring a pet, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does your lease or housing situation legally allow you to keep a pet?
• Will someone be home to provide meals for the animal according to a fixed schedule?
• Is every member of your household in agreement about acquiring a companion animal?
• Does (or will) your own schedule allow ample time to look after the animal, train him appropriately, and consistently provide the loving attention he requires?
• If you're considering a puppy or a kitten, are you prepared to spend the time it takes to learn about and apply the appropriate age-specific methods of socializing and training the animal requires before she reaches adolescence?
• Will you be able to pay for the food and pet-care supplies the animal will need in maintenance of his well-being?
• Are you willing and able to pay for all inoculations, periodic veterinary examinations, and any emergency treatment which the animal will need?
• If you're considering a dog, are you willing to exercise her at least twice a day, according to a set schedule?
• Are you willing to obey the local community leash, licensing, and poop-scooping laws?
• Are you willing and able to pay for the cost of spaying/neutering the animal to prevent the birth of more animals in a nation where millions of healthy but unwanted cats and dogs are already being destroyed each year?
• Are you committed to caring for the animal throughout his entire lifetime (which could easily span 15 years)?

If you are going to be introducing a new pet to your home, read this helpful article.