Today’s HOME Spun Wisdom - July 11, 2006 Thinking about bringing a new pet into your home? Here are some important considerations
RISMEDIA, July 11, 2006—Do you want a pet but don't know what one might be best for you and your family? A pet can be a life-long responsibility, so be careful what you choose to share your life. Pets are live animals - not stuffed toys to be discarded when you are "tired" of them. Here are some important considerations when choosing a pet.
1. Adopting the right pet can be a challenge. Think about what type of animals you like. Do you like small/easy-to-care for pets? Or do you like medium care pets? Or do you like large animals?
2. The cost of a pet can play a factor in choosing the right pet. Consider both the initial cost to purchase the animal as well as on-going maintenance cost of feeding, veterinary care, etc.
3. Ask yourself various questions about different kinds of pets:
Aquatic Pets
* How much space do you have to spare? Do you have a plug near your free space? (for an aquarium)
* Do you have enough time to look after it?
Lizards/Snakes
* Will you be prepared for a long living pet?
* Will you be willing to feed it crickets and mice?
* Do you have enough space? Snakes and some lizards can grow to very large sizes. Are you prepared for increasing space requirements?
* Who will look after it when you go away?
Dogs/Cats
* Are you allowed dogs/cats where you are living? Do you have an enclosed yard, or are you prepared to walk a dog to provide sufficient exercise?
* Can you pay for obedience training? Having an unruly animal can play havoc with your life. Even if you decide not to attend a formal obedience program, you should be prepared to doing some reading and apply necessary discipline for basic training.
* How much attention can you devote? Most dogs have to be walked every day and have to go outside to relieve themselves. Certain breeds of dogs develop behavior problems if left alone for extended periods of time.
Who will look after it when you go on vacation? Check for the availability of boarding kennels in your area, if you do not have friends or family who are willing to care for your pet when you are away.
Dogs and cats can live up to an average of 15 years, depending on breed. Will you be up to that much commitment?
Can you afford yearly vet bills and unexpected vet bills? You may wish to consider pet insurance.
Tips
• Research the pet before you take on the responsibility. Do not "impulse" buy!
• Use care in purchasing a pet from a pet shop. Some unreputable shops get their puppies and kitten from breeding mills. This can mean the animals have genetic problems, which can cause behavior and temperment issues, or physical problems which will require veterinary care.
• Do check into local rescue groups or shelters for your perfect pet.
• Don't be intimidated by all of this. A pet can be a loving addition to your life, and all of the work and responsibility is well worth it. But you still must be ready to take responsibility.
Warnings
• If you don't want a lizard you already have, don't release it in the nearest field! This is very bad for the environment and the lizard will most likely die.
• The same applies for fish. Do not release store bought fish in a lake or river or ocean, the fish will die as well as a lot of other animals living there. Your fish was bred for an aquarium with chemicals, it will poison the lake.
• Dogs and cats are for life, not just for presents on holidays.
• If you are allergic to dogs or cats, getting one may be risky. Try pet-sitting a friend's first.
• Think about size. If you live in an apartment you probably should not get a Great Dane
Source: www.wikihow.com |
