| An
article from the University of Illinois Veterinary Extension
Service about the selection of a new pet. |
 |
| Your
heart may melt when you see that puppy in the pet store window,
but keep in mind that adopting a pet is a big responsibility.
Very few people do research to find the right pet for them
before they get it. That’s a big reason why so many animals
are relinquished to humane shelters every year. But these
sad endings can be avoided with a little research and preparation. |
|
| What
kinds of things should a pet owner consider when choosing
a pet? Dr. Christine Merle, an Extension veterinarian at the
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana,
believes that the first step is to think about why you want
the pet. “This is probably the most important question to
ask yourself when choosing a pet because it can often tell
you right away what sort of pet you are looking for,” she
says. “A person who wants a companion but won’t be home enough
to care for a high-maintenance animal may better off with
a cat than a dog, while a person who spends lots of time at
home may enjoy the companionship of a dog.” |
|
| Unfortunately,
people often choose pets for the wrong reasons. Some people
choose purebred dogs as a status symbol, while others get
whatever breed they have recently seen on television or in
a movie. “The problem with choosing a pet this way is that
the pet may not suit the owner’s personality and may not make
a good match for the owner,” says Dr. Merle. “Breed personality
traits should always be taken in to consideration when choosing
a pet.” |
|
| For
example, people often say that Labrador retrievers make great
family pets. Why is this? It is because they are usually high
energy, very patient, and non-aggressive. Retrievers have
been bred for these traits for their work alongside hunters,
so they usually display them as family pets too. |
|
| Here
are some questions to ask yourself when you are thinking about
getting a pet: |
|
- Do
I have the time necessary to care for this animal’s needs?
- Do
I have the physical space required for this pet? Does
this pet need a yard?
- Do
I have the money to care for this animal? It is often
more expensive than you think!
- Is
this pet suited to the place where I live? A large dog
may not be very happy in a big city if there is no yard.
- If
I get this pet, will I physically be able to handle the
animal on walks? This one is especially important when
the owner is elderly or when children will be the primary
caretakers.
- Do
I have young children in the house? If so, a puppy might
not be the best choice. Having a puppy in a household
with a tiny child can be like having two small children
competing for the attention of the parent. Puppies can
also be very high energy and can sometimes cause accidents
and injury to the child. An adult dog may be calmer and
may be a better choice for people with young ones.
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