Table of Contents
Introduction
If you are thinking about bringing a new dog or cat into your home, you have likely considered adoption.
Dog or Cat
If you’re thinking of adding a pet to your household, there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider. The first question people often ask is whether they should get a dog or cat. Both cats and dogs are intelligent, loyal companions with their own unique personalities—but they each offer different benefits for the owner and family members alike:
- Cats are typically more independent than dogs, but may need more attention from their owners at times
- Dogs generally require more exercise than cats do, but most can be trained when young enough (or will train themselves) to walk on leashes or run in parks alongside their owners
- Cat allergies are common in some households; if this is true in yours then having two cats would probably not be ideal due to how much dander each would produce over time (though sometimes one will do).
Prepare
Before taking a dog home, it is important that you prepare your house and family. If you are bringing a young animal into your home, make sure that you have plenty of space for him or her to run around. You should also consider whether or not the new pet will get along with any other animals (such as cats or other dogs) that already live in your house.
Preparing yourself is another part of the process that many people often overlook. When adopting an animal from a shelter, it is important for both parties involved to make sure that they feel comfortable with each other before committing themselves to each other’s lives permanently. If at all possible, visit potential pets in person before making any decisions on what type of pet would be best suited for your lifestyle and family situation – this way if anything goes wrong after adopting them out from under their previous owners’ care then there won’t be much hard feelings towards anyone involved due too much time spent together beforehand!
This last point goes without saying: don’t forget about finances! Adoption fees may vary slightly depending on where one lives but typically range between $50-$100 per animal depending upon age/breed; however most shelters offer discounts if multiple animals are adopted together (i’ma talkin’ bout those two puppies over there!). Also note whether adoption requirements include vaccinations; these might cost money upfront so make sure they’re worth getting done before signing anything official.”
Observe
When you visit the dog shelter, observe the dogs. Look for signs of illness, such as coughing or sneezing, and also look for aggression between dogs. Watch for signs of fearfulness and loneliness, boredom, or happiness in each one. If you see any behaviors that concern you (such as aggression) then don’t adopt that particular dog just yet!
Choices, Choices, Choices
When you’re looking at shelters, there are a few things to keep in mind. When it comes to the breed and age of your dog, you will have a plethora of choices. Depending on what type of dog you are looking for, you can choose between different sizes and ages. For example, if your pet is going to be outdoors more often than not, then a larger breed may be better suited for those conditions than a smaller one would be. You also want to consider how energetic or active your dog will be when choosing its size because larger dogs require more exercise than smaller ones do.
Another thing that should factor into your choice is the personality of the animal itself; some breeds may not get along well with other animals or children so make sure that everyone involved is compatible before adopting any pets! Another thing I want my readers understand is how important temperament can be when adopting a new pet…
Adopting a pet is a wonderful thing, but you should bring them home only if you are prepared.
Adopting a pet is a wonderful thing. But you should bring them home only if you are prepared.
Prepare yourself and your family
Be sure to consider the needs of everyone in the household when choosing an animal companion. If there are children in the house, discuss whether they would be comfortable with having a pet and how they might be able to take care of it while you’re away at work or school.* Discuss what pets mean to each person; some families have different ideas about what makes a good pet than others do.* You also may want to consider any allergies that anyone has before bringing home an animal companion who could trigger those allergies.
You should also prepare yourself if finances are tight: think about how much time and money will need to go into training, feeding and providing veterinary care for this new member of your family!
Conclusion
There are a lot of pets out there who need homes, and they deserve to be treated with the love and care that every animal deserves. If you’re looking to adopt a pet but don’t know where to start, we hope this article has been helpful in your journey. As always, we wish you all the best on your search for a new furry family member!