Three Things to Think Through Before Adopting a Pet contains affiliate links.
People have probably had pets since the creation of the earth. We love sharing our lives with our animal companions. And they are that: our companions. The bonds that have existed between people and their animals will probably never end. Anytime you are thinking of bringing a pet into your home, you need to prepare.
Most people who are in the market for adopting a pet will be thinking about things in terms of which animal will be a good addition to the family. In the past, pets helped with working the land, or they fulfilled a different “job.” Think about the movie Babe, and you’ll know what I mean! Since the decision to bring a pet home or not is likely to be deeply personal rather than practical, it’s important to think things through carefully before adopting a pet.
Three Things to Think Through Before Adopting a Pet
Research to see what kind of pet will best suit your temperament and interests
Different types of pets will tend to have different traits, temperaments, and lifestyles, and so will be suited better or worse to different temperaments and interests in their owners. So, this is something to think through before adopting a pet.
When you’re researching what pet to get and looking for inspiration, you should obviously consider checking out sites like Pinterest. For example, my pets board might help you if you want to see some tips about adopting and caring for your pet before you adopt. You need to give some real thought about how compatible you will be with different types of pets.
For example, do you want a somewhat more “hands-off” pet owning experience? Well, if so, a cat will probably serve you better than a dog. And a fish may be the best option of all.
Even within a given species, different animals will have different temperaments. Labradors, for example, tend to be a lot more affectionate and less aggressive than some other dog breeds.
Consider how a pet will fit into your lifestyle
We all have our own unique circumstances, so our lives are inevitably going to be pretty set before we think about adopting a pet.
It’s important to consider how a pet will fit into your current lifestyle. If you live in a fairly cramped inner-city apartment, perhaps buying a St Bernard dog isn’t the most practical idea. If you’re really busy, you may not want a dog at all. They require a lot of activity and attention.
Or, maybe you have young kids in the house, and want them to enjoy the companionship of a pet who they can interact with, with minimal danger. Large, energetic dogs, may not be the best choice in that scenario either.
Think about the long-term
There is a well-known phrase that was used years ago in campaigns to prevent people from abandoning their dogs once they grew past puppy-hood. “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.”
Whenever you adopt a pet, you are not just signing up to have a cuddly, playful companion in your home for a couple of weeks. You’re making a commitment that can last for a decade or more.
Think about this before you adopt a pet: ask yourself “Am I ready for this commitment?” If not, you are better off waiting until you are. Developing a connection with a pet, and then getting rid of it, is cruel and irresponsible. Don’t do it! Make sure you think about all of these things before you adopt any pet. If you aren’t ready, get a plant!
These are all really good points! We currently have five rescue dogs, and dearly love each one. However, I know that in some instances, people adopt a dog from the shelter and find that the dog simply is not a good fit for their family for reasons they feel can’t be reconciled–dog can’t stop chasing family’s cat, dog can’t get along with their existing dog and they are afraid one of the dogs will be injured/killed–I don’t know what, but the family makes the sad decision they can’t keep the dog. What I’ve learned from the rescue organizations/shelters I’ve worked with is that they urge the family’s to return the pets to the shelter for another chance at finding the right home. Don’t abandon the dog, don’t pawn it off on just anyone, but bring it back to the group that will find it the right home.
I was hoping to be able to have a small dog for when I move, as a senior, I had been looking forward to it. So I’ve been paying attention to care, etc. I am trying to figure out how much it costs now for vet and dental, etc., it seems like prices have gone up so much, not sure I’ll be able to afford it. Better to find out before getting a pet, than afterwards…