Things to consider before adopting a pet
PetsYou are thinking about adopting a pet and you are excited. You don’t know a lot about pets, just that they are cute and loving companions. So go get Flippy or Daisy and bring them home. Then you realize that you don’t know much about pets and you start asking questions. Too late! Questions should be asked before bringing a pet home. Having a pet is for life!
Many people have no idea of the responsibilities associated with owning a pet. They may have good intentions, but they soon realize that having a pet at home is not as easy as they thought and this revelation can often lead to tragedy.
Most people, whether they are children or adults, want a pet because they find it “cute.” They watch movies, television shows with adorable baby animals, which by the way are already trained and their desire to have a pet is growing. Usually their wish goes to a puppy or kitten (often of a specific breed) and they eventually bring it home. Everyone is happy and wants to take the furry little thing on their lap, hug it and play with it.
When it comes to who will take care of it, the excitement goes away, as no one wants to do it.
People who have never had a pet have no idea what it’s like to take care of it. They think it’s easy, they put some food and water in their bowls twice a day and that’s it. Your new furry friend will be playful and happy whenever he wants. After all, how much trouble can one love affair cause?
Surprise surprise!
A pet in your house is like a child in your house. In fact, at some point your child grows up and no longer needs your care, becomes independent and leaves your home to live alone. The same will not happen with your pet. Your pet will always be a child who will require your attention and care while he is with you. Therefore, there are many things to consider before making a serious decision to adopt a pet.
Having a pet is not like buying a car. It is a living being, so if you do not get along it is not easy to get rid of it or change it for something else. When you adopt a pet, you become the “parent” of the animal for as long as it lives. You should take into account that, for example, a dog has an average life expectancy of 14-15 years. Therefore, for the next 14-15 years, it will be your responsibility!
It is like having a baby at home. You cannot return it because it does not meet your expectations or because it is different than you thought it would be. Or can you? I hope not. The same kind of responsibility should be on your mind when you are considering getting a pet.
A pet is not a video game. You don’t turn it off when you finish playing with it and expect it to wait until you decide to come back. Puppies are like little children. They need a lot of sleep, but when they are not asleep they are wandering around the house looking for fun! A puppy that has started to grow teeth will find it fun and enjoyable to chew on his favorite shoes or slippers. At this point many people begin to lose patience and instead of finding a way to divert the puppy’s attention to something else, they dispose of it in an animal shelter, or worse, they abandon it on the street. The puppy’s only crime was in fact that it was a puppy! Puppies are not destructive or mischievous just because they want to make you furious. It’s just what they do. If you are considering buying one, you need to rearrange your home first, so that the puppy does not have access to things that you do not want destroyed. Another good idea is to buy lots of chew toys. You can be sure that the puppy will choose them instead of your shoes.
Another important issue to consider is what breed you like and would like to get. Each breed has special characteristics, and while you would love to have a puppy of a certain breed, this may not be the right one for you. There are certain things to consider, for example, if it will be easy to train, if it will be a shy or hyperactive dog that will require a lot of walks during the day, will there be any health problems with the breed you chose, etc. You may adore a Labrador or German Shepherd, but if you live in a small apartment, maybe you should reconsider. Large dogs need space to run and play and will feel depressed in a confined space. Also, some large breeds develop back or hip problems that will require additional medical attention, especially when they are older.
Pets also cost money to raise and maintain, as do children. You need to buy pet food, pay multiple bills to the vet when your dear friend needs vaccinations or medical attention, monthly expenses like heartworm and flea control, and maybe grooming bills. You should also remember that you will have additional costs when you go on vacation and leave the animal in a pet hotel. My point is that if you are not fully aware of the cost of owning an animal, maybe you should reconsider. Of course, they are worth every penny you spend for them and they will return it to you with their unconditional love, but you should still know everything.
Another thing to consider is spay-neuter your pet. If you don’t plan to breed him, you should go to a vet and have him neutered. There are many people who do not like to deprive their pet of sex. Don’t think like them! It is a fact that if you do not neuter your pet when it is young, there will be many problems in the future and, most importantly, health problems. If you do not spay your dog, it is very possible that she will develop cancer in her uterus in the future.
Many male or female dogs become short-tempered and anxious because they are not allowed to mate and this is against their nature.
Some people think that they can solve this problem if they allow their dog to mate at least once. Others like the idea of having a puppy for their dog before it is spayed. I totally disagree with these tactics. First, it is highly irresponsible to allow pets to breed uncontrollably. Pet overpopulation is a very serious problem. Each year, between 10 and 12 million pets are euthanized in shelters because they cannot find a home for them. Why would anyone of you want to add to this number? Second, dogs must be neutered before they become sexually mature to avoid future health problems. If you think I’m lying, ask a vet.
To make a long story short, if you plan to get a pet, be responsible and have it neutered. You may think that you are going to make money selling the puppies, if you are purebred. However, you should know that there are no guarantees that you will sell all the puppies and even if you do, you should consider that for every puppy that you sell, there is one waiting in a shelter somewhere and may die without being adopted.
The business of breeding dogs has its responsible professionals but also its lousy ones. There are several puppy mills where the poor animals live in horrible, unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. Many breeders just don’t care one bit about their health. These breeders mate males and females from the same litter and this can cause various health problems later in the dog’s life. For example, many Dalmatians suffer from deafness due to inbreeding.
So why are you looking so badly for a purebred and not considering having a mixed breed? They are also very cute and much healthier, but still, they are not people’s first choice.
Why not adopt a pet from the Humane Society or your local SPCA? You can at least give them a chance even if what you really want is a specific breed. There are several benefits to adopting an adult dog from a shelter or one of the many breed-specific rescue operations. You can be sure that you have done a good deed to adopt a pet in this way and have saved it from euthanasia.
Some more helpful thoughts …
-Never consider giving a pet as a gift to someone, especially a child. (Unless the child is yours and you clearly know that you will be the pet’s caretaker). Whoever is going to get a pet should do so of their own free will and should have considered everything about parenting.
-Don’t bring live chicks or bunnies to your children as Easter gifts. It is cruel, they are little creatures that breathe. Chicks grow into chickens, so unless you have a farm, you shouldn’t even think about buying one.
-Learn what having a pet is all about. You must have an idea of the cost, in terms of time and money. Also, it is good to know how acquiring a pet will change your lifestyle.
With all that I have mentioned above, you must think that I am not encouraging pet ownership. On the contrary, I LOVE animals, I have six dogs and two cats and I am in a position to know what this is all about and to talk about the responsibilities that pet owners face. After all, I own a pet myself. Having a pet is happiness, but it also involves many responsibilities and commitments in private life. All I’m saying is that you need to know everything before making a decision. Pets can be very cute and sweet, but trust me, they hide a lot of surprises – surprises that you must be ready to deal with!