How To Adopt a Pet (reprint from Humane Society of United States)

It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, just begging for attention. Or maybe it's a gorgeous Labrador mix whose tails seems to be wagging just for you.
You take one look, and the next thing you know, you're walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.
If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder!
Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.
Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Dogs and cats require a lot of time, money, and commitment—more than 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.
Things to Consider
The fact that you're thinking of adopting from an animal shelter
means you're on the right track—it's definitely the responsible,
caring thing to do. But here are some things to think over first:
- Why do you want a pet?
It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or
because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years. - Do you have time for a pet?
Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them. - Can you afford a pet?
The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly. - Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause?
Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet house-trained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
- Can you have a pet where you live?
Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
- Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?
If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise. - Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?
Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active—they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements. - Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation?
You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service. - Will you be a responsible pet owner?
Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials. - Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime?
When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.
Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important. Many of the shelter's homeless animals are puppies and kittens, victims of people who irresponsibly allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at the shelter who are more than a year old—animals who were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the animal. Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love—for the life of the pet.
Favorite Sites

Pet Scene Portal
- See your pet's medication history at a glance
- Look up past invoices from your vet
- Receive vaccination reminders by email
- Request appointments online
- Get answers to your questions through our Pet Health Encyclopedia
- AFA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created to promote ethical, compassionate treatment of all animals
- The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals faced then, and we continue to battle cruelty today.
Clicker Training
- "Clicker training" is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it.
Petfinder
- Adopt / Find a Pet. When you adopt a pet, you truly save a life. Our tools will help you find the pet that's right for you.
National Wildlife Federation
- National Wildlife Federation inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
Defenders of Wildlife
- Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is one of the country's leaders in science-based, results-oriented wildlife conservation.
The Humane Society of the Unites States
- The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization-backed by 10 million Americans, or one in every 30.
VeterinaryPartner.com
- VeterinaryPartner.com is here to support your veterinarian and you in the care of your companion animals by providing reliable, up-to-date animal health information from the veterinarians and experts of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), the world's first and largest online veterinary database and community.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council
- The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is a non-profit organization of veterinarians and parasitologists dedicated to protecting your family and your pets from parasites and zoonotic disease.
Rainbow Bridge
- Rainbow Bridge is a virtual memorial home for your departed pet.
Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter
- Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run charitable organization actively engaged in raising funds for an animal shelter in the Greater Prairie du Chien, Wi, area encompassing Grant and Crawford counties in SW Wisconsin, and Clayton County of Iowa. It is operated solely from fundraisers, donations and volunteer support.
Free Kibble
- Freekibble.com's primary mission is to provide good, healthy food to dogs and cats to those shelters who are working so hard to see that none of them go hungry - they need our help.
Veterinary Information Network (VIN) - For Veterinarians, By Veterinarians
- The VIN Consultant and Associate Editor team -- 209 of the most dedicated and talented leaders in veterinary medicine -- monitor and facilitate clinical discussions that teach all VINners to be better clinicians while helping you manage YOUR cases.
VOHC The Veterinary Oral Health Council
- VOHC award a seal of acceptance to oral health products that meet pre-set standards for reducing and preventing accumulation of dental plaque and calculus. They also offer a lot of oral heath information.