Adopting a Pet | Pet Adoption Facts | Pet Info
What You Should Know Before Adopting A Pet
The Reality of Adopting a Pet
If you are seriously considering adopting a pet and plan on adopting from a rescue, pet store, or breeder, you need to make sure you are given all the information you need. I have seen time and time again people, who truly care for their pet and have the best intentions, who are hurting their pets, unintentionally, because they didn’t have proper instructions and information for caring for a pet after the adoption. Owning a pet is not all fun and games and pets are not accessories. They are actual living creatures that need our affection and care to thrive and survive since they are not feral creatures, living in the wild.
The Money
- Food /Nutrition— I know it’s obvious that pets need to eat, but people may not realize that it adds up quickly. Pet’s need to be fed daily or even twice daily. You should know what type of food is best for your pet, how much to feed them and how often. If this information was not provided by the adoption agency, you should ask. Certain brands of food might be more expensive than others and the prices may vary depending on the size of your pet. Also, know what foods are toxic to the specific pet.
- Training [for dogs]— Through a pet store or more individualized training — recommended — Know how to care for your pet’s individual needs to make having a pet a more pleasurable than stressful experience.
- Supplies (depending on your pet) — Basic supplies: tags, leash, collar, water and food bowls, pooper scooper, cage, brush, bed, treats, toothbrush, UV lamp, heat lamp, etc. Extra supplies: crate, accessories, etc.
- Toys — Pet’s need to play, it is great for their development and keeps them occupied.
- Veterinary visits — [Bi]annual check-ups, vaccines, medications, dentals, bloodwork, etc.
- Grooming (if applicable to your pet) — Nail/hoof/beak trimming, bathing, fur grooming, etc.
- Travel — If you plan on traveling with your pet, it can be an extra expense. Most flights have an extra cost to travel with a pet. Many hotels, motels, and AirBNBs have an additional cost for dogs and other pets, per night. Depending where you are traveling and visiting, there may be restrictions as to what pets are allowed. If you do not plan on traveling with your pet, you need a pet sitter. A friend or family member may not ask you to pay for their services, but certain pets are more of a responsibility and may require you to find someone more experienced, who does expect payment for their services.
The Time
- Behavior/Potty Training — Know how to care for your pet’s individual needs to make having a pet a more pleasurable than stressful experience. This could be several sessions and requires practicing outside of the training.
- Cleaning out cages and/or cleaning up poop — Sounds nasty, but animals poop and it needs to be picked-up, whether on walks or in your backyard.
- Daily/Weekly walks [for dogs] — Just like humans, pets need exercise for health purposes. Taking your dog on a walk for at least a half an hour is a great way to get exercise, get fresh air and bond with each other. If you do not have the ability to take your dog on a walk, there are people you can hire who walk dogs professionally.
- Daily teeth brushing (if applicable to your pet) — Read below for why you need to brush your pet’s teeth:
- Daily changing out and cleaning drinking water — Cleaning out the bowls may not be something you think about but is important to do.
- Cleaning — Pet’s leave fur everywhere in their wake; clothes, furniture, and clumps of fur on the floor. Big and small pets also have accidents.
- Travel — With road trips, you need frequent pit-stops and it takes time to make travel arrangements for your pet.
Other Things to Consider
- The type of pet — Each animals has different needs and requirements; habitat, nutrition, socialization, etc.
- Space — You need to ensure that you have the space available for a pet to run around or even for a cage.
- Placement/setup — Make sure your pet is placed in a perfect spot and their supplies are set up accurately. Some pets, like parakeets, should be placed near a window for natural light and heat and tortoises need UV and heating lamps.
- Match your pet — Make sure that your pet’s needs align with your abilities and vise-versa. If you have a low energy level, then a puppy is probably not right for you, since they get “zoomies” and need to be walked and played with often. If you have young children who want a pet they can constantly hold and play with, then a hamster or turtle might not be right for your family.
- How often are you home?— Some pets are high maintainance, meaning they need constant affection and attention. With those types of pets, don’t abandon them at home all day by themselves (Ex: Dogs). Animals can feel lonely too.
- Other pets — Before officially adopting a pet, make sure the new pet gets along with the other pets that you have around. This can be a playdate or fostering. (This requires constant observation.)
- Can you own that specific pet?— Make sure to research if the pet you want to own is legal to own in your country or state and ethical to own altogether. Some countries and states have policies against owning certain animals and also a certain amount of pets. Ex: Sugar gliders and hedgehogs are illegal to own in California.
Where to start?
Adoptapet.com is a great resource for locating pets available for adoption near you. They also post the pet’s information and what rescue they are in. Another thing you can do is search for local responsible breeders, animal shelters and rescues. I am a huge advocate for adopting pets from rescues and animal shelters, that’s where mine are from. Unfortunately, many pets are found without a known history, but they are still wonderful pets that need saving.
Do some research and make sure that you are not adopting from pet stores that sell puppy-mill puppies. They are inhumane, breeding dogs in cages until they die. Read here to learn more about puppy mills from the Humane Society.
This article is not meant to deter people from getting a pet, but rather to show the responsibility that comes with owning a pet. While also displaying the obstacles that you may face on your journey to finding your purr-fect furry friend.
I hope you find your best fur-iend!
