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Pets
are popular
because they
provide companionship,
joy, unconditional
love, a sense
of safety, and
often a service.
These are probably
some of the
reasons why
you're thinking
about getting
a pet. Animals
are fun to be
with every day.
They make us
feel good!
Your
pet-owning experience
will be most
enjoyable if
you take the
time to consider
which animal
best suits your
family. You
can start by
answering some
easy questions
and gathering
sound information
and advice.
This process
won't take long
and it will
be educational
and fun, particularly
for children.
Select
your pet the
best way--the
way recommended
by veterinarians.
A pet will become
your daily responsibility,
so make an informed
pet selection.
Don't let the
playful antics
of the first
puppy, kitten,
or bird you
see or the latest
status-symbol
pet charm you
into accepting
a responsibility
for which you
and your family
are not prepared.
You've
read articles
about the millions
of unwanted
pets that have
to be put to
death each year.
Pets selected
on impulse,
"for the
children,"
or as a gift
during the holidays
sometimes end
up this way.
These pets once
belonged to
people who fell
in love--and
then changed
their minds.
Selecting
a pet should
be a family
project with
everyone's needs,
concerns, fears,
and medical
history (including
allergies) considered.
Family members
should decide
together what
kind of animal
they want, the
amount of time
they anticipate
spending with
it, and the
amount of responsibility
each person
is willing to
assume. Be realistic.
Promises from
some family
members, particularly
children, may
not be fulfilled.
Your
goal is to identify
the best animal(s)
for your living
space, lifestyle,
and budget.
Take time, involve
the family,
and answer the
following questions.
Do
You Have Room
for a Pet?  Top
Active dogs
need more space
and more daily
exercise than
older or more
sedentary dogs.
Some pets may
get enough exercise
within the confines
of a house or
apartment. For
their own safety,
dogs and cats
should not be
allowed to run
uncontrolled,
but should be
walked on a
leash or exercised
in an enclosed
area. Most animals
are better kept
indoors or in
a suitable kennel
while you're
gone.
Cats,
birds, and small
mammals can
adapt to any
size living
quarters.
What
Activities Do
You Enjoy? Top
You and your
family should
discuss the
reasons you
want a companion
animal and what
you expect an
animal to do
with and for
you. Most people
keep pets as
companions,
whereas others
enjoy animals
for showing,
breeding, hunting,
or other reasons.
Will the animal
you're considering
have the temperament
and physical
attributes to
participate
in your outdoor
activities (hiking,
hunting, or
camping) or
in quiet pastimes
at home? If
your leisure
activities take
you away from
home, who will
care for your
pet during your
absences? Read
about the temperaments
and needs of
species and
breeds, and
identify those
that best match
your lifestyle.
How
Do You Spend
Your Day? Top
Pets depend
on people for
daily affection
and attention.
Young puppies
and kittens
require time
for housebreaking,
training, and
feeding. Are
you gone all
day? Do you
frequently work
late? What will
you do with
your pet during
long absences?
Feeding, exercise,
grooming, and
play are daily
time commitments
that must be
considered in
caring for a
healthy, happy
pet.
Do
You Have a No-Pets
Clause? Top
Most rental
agreement no-pets
clauses apply
only to dogs
and cats; birds
or small mammals
may be acceptable.
If you want
a dog or cat
but your lease
or condominium
association
rules prohibit
them, ask that
the no-pets
clause be waived
or negotiated.
Outline your
plan to care
for your pet,
to adapt to
your living
environment,
and to meet
your landlord's
expectations.
Assure your
association
leaders that
you are a responsible
pet owner who
is aware of
the importance
of a well-behaved
animal and a
clean environment.
Furnish references
from previous
landlords or
neighbors. Agree
in writing to
pay a refundable
deposit or a
small monthly
surcharge.
How
Much Will Your
Pet Cost? Top
The purchase
price of an
animal varies
greatly. All
pets need food
and shelter,
and most should
have regular
visits to a
veterinarian
for health checkups
and vaccinations.
Depending on
the type of
animal you choose,
other cost considerations
include emergency
medical treatment,
grooming, boarding,
licensing, obedience
training, and
accessories.
Pet health insurance
for unexpected
illnesses or
injuries is
available in
many states.
What
If a Pet Doesn't
Fit Your Lifestyle? Top
After discussing
the role a pet
will play in
your life and
talking with
knowledgeable
people, you
may conclude
that your first
choice for a
pet is not appropriate,
so be flexible.
Your veterinarian
may suggest
other companion
animals whose
needs more closely
match your own.
You
can still enjoy
the animals
around you if
a pet does not
fit into your
present lifestyle.
Try putting
a bird feeder
outside your
window or becoming
an active member
of a local zoologic
society. Volunteer
at a humane
society or animal
shelter. Consider
a pet when your
circumstances
change.
Veterinarians
and Other Community
Resources Top
When your family
decides it's
time to actually
look for a pet,
each person
should participate
in the selection
process. A good
place to start
is a family
consultation
with a veterinarian
to determine
the compatibility
of your needs
with those of
the animal(s)
being considered.
Veterinarians
can offer expert
advice on the
physical needs,
health, and
behavioral characteristics
of particlular
animals, and
can direct you
to other resources.
Other
good sources
of guidance
and literature
on pets include
public libraries,
humane societies,
animal shelters,
animal control
agencies, breeders,
pet stores,
obedience classes,
and local kennel,
cat, and bird
clubs. Dog and
cat shows offer
the advantage
of comparing
many breeds
at one time.
A
Check-up for
Your New Companion Top
The neighbor,
breeder, shelter,
or pet store
where you obtain
your pet should
allow you to
have the animal
examined by
a veterinarian
and to return
it within an
agreed-upon
time if the
animal is unhealthy.
Do this as soon
as possible,
before you become
emotionally
attached to
the animal.
Your
veterinarian
is best qualified
to assure you
that your new
friend is healthy
and to administer
the necessary
vaccinations.
At the same
time, you can
discuss proper
nutrition and
feeding, surgical
sterilization,
other preventive
health measures,
and grooming
needs.
Prepare
Your Home for
Your Pet's Arrival Top
Before bringing
a pet into your
home, prepare
a special place
for it to eat
and sleep. At
first, try to
maintain the
animal's daily
schedule for
play, eating,
and elimination.
Decide where
you will exercise
your pet. Obtain
any necessary
accessories
(such as collar
and ID tag,
leash, scratching
post, litter
box, crate,
bird cage, etc.)
before you bring
your pet home.
You should pet-proof
your home just
as you would
child-proof
your home to
avoid accidents.
Harmful cleansers,
plants, electrical
cords, and breakable
objects should
be removed from
potential contact
with your pet.
What will you
do with your
pet during long
absences? Feeding,
exercise, grooming,
and play are
daily time commitments
that must be
considered in
caring for a
healthy, happy
pet.
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