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To the casual
observer, it might appear that finding and adopting a pet is
just a matter of taking a tour of the local pet store or animal
shelter, and bringing home a cute little pet. If only it were
that easy. Most stores and shelters are crowded with bright,
fuzzy animals, all of them eager to be adopted. How do you
choose the one that is right for you... You need to find a
friend that is perfect fit for your home, one that is
right for your budget, and perhaps most important, you need to
find a pet that fits your lifestyle. If you have decided to
adopt a pet, you have some major decisions ahead of you, and you
could be living with the results for a long time to come.
Once you have
figured out what kind of pet you want, you will still need to do
some shopping around. Instead of going to the nearest pet store,
breeder, or shelter, do a little research to find out which one
has the best reputation for selling healthy animals and which
ones offer exchange policies if something does not work out.
While you are looking around, you will want to make sure that
the one you plan to adopt is healthy. By taking the time to
choose a pet carefully, you will save yourself money and
heartache later.
Caring for a
pet is a significant commitment. You have to be willing to keep
regular hours, spend time caring for the animal and cleaning up
after him, give him plenty of attention and love.
Are you trying
to decide whether or not to get a pet? The most important factor
should be your feelings about housekeeping. If you can honestly
say that you will not be squeamish about a little extra cleaning
each week, well adopt your pet. Pets leave behing hair and
feathers that must be vacuumed or scales that must be swept up.
Let's face it: virtually every animal is an Oscar Madison. If
you hate cleaning or if you are a maniac and you still want a
pet, get a pet and a cleaning service at the same time.
If you like a
clean house without a lot of extra work, but want the
companionship of a pet, consider adopting a pet who will live
happily in a cage or a tank. This will keep you from resenting
your new roommate.
If you own
valuable furniture or rugs, do not get a pet, or at least figure
out a way to keep pets out of the rooms where you keep such
valuables. Cats and dogs who can run freely in the whole house
will have accidents. It will be the same if you leave your bird
or rabbit out of their cages. They might scratch upholstery or
chew your shoes, etc. Consider whether your house is set up in
such a way that you can restrict a pet to certain areas where
the furnishings are not so precious.
If you are
planning to adopt a pet from the animal shelter, be prepared to
show proof that you either own your home or have the explicit
permission of your landlord to own a pet. Most shelters require
such assurances before they will release a pet to you. And we
cannot blame them. Their experience has been too many animals in
shelters have been given up by owners who did not have their
landlord's permission.
If you have
never had a pet before, or if your child has never been around
animals, take a few minutes to the pet a friend's animal. The
last thing you want to do is bring back home a lovely
furry pet to find out that your child is allergic to him.
If you are
about to move, wait until after you have relocated to adopt a
pet. To develop your pet's trust, you will need to give him time
and stability.
For cats
only
If you are
expecting a baby in the near future, you better wait until after
the baby is born to bring home a cat. A pregnant woman can
get toxoplasmosis from cleaning a cat's litter box. It can
result in serious birth defects or even a miscarriage.
For dogs
only
Ideally, bring
home a new baby before you bring home a new puppy. Some pets
feel jealous of new babies, just as they would of another
animal.
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All rights reserved July 02
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