Considerations Before
Choosing A Pet:
- Lifestyle- want a jogging companion or
a couch potato? Certain breeds will fit certain lifestyles
better. A short coated "working" breed may prefer
jogging more than a longer coated or heat intolerant breed. Cats
do not have to be walked and may be a better choice for individuals
that are gone for long hours during the day, or for those living in
apartments where there is no yard for "potty time".
- Size- puppies are cute but can grow
into dogs of many different sizes. Selecting a puppy that has
certain breed characteristics present may help determine its adult size. Also
consider that some apartments have size limitations and the 10 pound
puppy may qualify but the 100 pound dog it grows into may not.
Cats are generally similar in size (an average of 8 to 10 pounds).
- Pet Care Cost- generally, the bigger
the pet, the bigger the pet care cost. Not only do larger pets
eat more, they require larger sizes of medication and flea control
products. On average, pet care costs can double for a 100 pound
dog versus a 10 pound dog. Longer haired breeds may require
regular professional grooming and this should be included in the pet
care budget. For cats, one must consider the cost of litter
supplies and beds and toys to keep your pet happy. Also, longer
haired cats may require additional grooming expenses as opposed to
short haired breeds.
- Time- have plenty of time for basic
obedience and housetraining? If not, consider adopting an older
dog or cat. Not only will the training time be shortened, you'll
already have an idea of the pets size and personality.
- Allergies- there is no truly
"allergen free" cat or dog. Although there are some
breeds which are considered better for people with allergies, there
are no guarantees. Keep that in mind when you here someone
claiming they have the perfect "allergen free" pet for you.
- Different Pets- cats and dogs are
conventional, but pets come with feathers, scales, and shells as
well. An aquarium may be perfect for someone looking for pets
that can fit into almost any home and require minimum time. As
long as you provide a proper habitat and nutrition, fish will be
fairly content. Birds require a lot more time, as most species
are very social and their habitat needs specific. Make a well
informed decision before choosing a bird. There are a wide
variety of other pets to consider. From snakes and other reptiles to
ferrets and small rodents such as mice, rats and hamsters; these
pets can fit well into the right home. It's deciding that your
home is the right home that is sometimes complicated. There is a
lot of good information available on these unconventional pets, so
please make an informed decision. When you decide that a
different pet is right for you, please contact local rescue groups and
shelters, as most will have information on adopting these special
animals, although many potential adopters don't think to look there.
- Commitment- did you know that cats can
live up to 20 years and some birds may live more than 50 years?
What are your plans in the future? Do you know you will be moving
or making other changes in your life? Plan ahead for the pet
you're making part of your family today. With proper care, your
new pet may be with you a very long time.
- Pet Stores- how much is that puppy in
the window? Although pet store puppies and kittens are cute,
they usually did not have the best start in life. Unfortunately,
many pet stores obtain animals from "puppy and kitten mills"
and the consumer never sees what's behind the cute puppy in the
window. For the truth about some puppy mills, visit www.prisonersofgreed.org
or the HSUS site on Puppy
Mill Facts to see where some of those puppies in the window come
from. Opt to adopt instead. An animal that has been
rescued appreciates your kindness and pays you back in love.
Responsible pet stores will have "adoptable" animals from
local shelters and rescue groups.
- Pure Bred versus Mutt- does that dog
have papers? Unfortunately, some breeders will sell mixed breed
dogs for high prices simple because they give them cute names.
Ever heard of a Yorkie-Poo, CockaPoo, Schnoodle, or Chia-Poo?
You may as well call it was it is, a mutt. Although cute, with
even cuter names, these are mixed breed dogs. If a pure bred is
for you, resist the temptation to buy from a "backyard
breeder" and instead research responsible breeders and also look into
rescue groups for the breed you're choosing. Visit the HSUS site
on Finding
a Good Dog Breeder for more information. A responsible
breeder is more interested in the breed, the animal, and the home it's
going to... not just your money. And remember, pure-bred does
not necessarily mean well-bred.
- Mutts- these are truly America's
Dogs. When you decide to adopt a mixed breed dog, you're
adopting a "one of a kind" best friend. You can even
give it a cutesy breed name if you want (like a Grainger County Tomato
Dog or an East TN Mountain Hound).
|
|
