8 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Pet- Especially at Christmas

As a dog dad and a dog rescuer, I see a LOT of people "giving" dogs or cats as "presents" at the holidays. It makes me cringe, because as a rescuer, many of these animals wind up back in kill shelters days, weeks or months after Christmas, when the new "pet parent" fails at parenting and can't handle the responsibility. I always tell people:  Adopting a Pet is the SAME as adopting a human child- they just don't grow up, marry someone you hate, and leave you.  Pets always rely on you. So please DO NOT give a pet as a present. This should be the decision of the person adopting. You can pay the adoption fees, though, if they are okay with it. 

   Recently the H. Post published this great article about questions to ask before you adopt a pet. And it IS an adoption. BTW, We had Dolly and Franklin for 16 YEARS each. That's a LONG TIME, so remember that. I would give anything to still have them here but they' both passed this year leaving a hole in my heart. 

  Here's the article.

8 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting a Pet

 Experts share the important factors to consider before welcoming a dog, cat or other animal into your home. 

By Caroline Bologna, Huff Post 

 The benefits of pet ownership are numerous, and clearly, people know it. In 2020, dog adoptions and sales soared amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and one market research firm has projected that the total number of pet-owning U.S. households will grow from 68 million in August to 71 million by the end of the year.

“Pets bring joy, help with learning responsibility and compassion for others, companionship, stress-relief, and can be a great addition to your family!” Camp Bow Wow animal health and behavior consultant Erin Askeland told HuffPost.  Below, Askeland and veterinarian Rolan Tripp outline eight questions to ask yourself before taking the leap into pet ownership.

1)  Can I afford a pet? Even if you aren’t shelling out large sums of money to buy a pet from a breeder or shop, there are still costs involved.

“Fees for adopting a pet can vary greatly, but that’s just an initial cost,” Askeland noted. “You’ll also need to budget for veterinary visits with booster shots, bloodwork, fecal testing (for parasites), etc. depending on the type of pet you choose. This veterinary care continues throughout the pet’s life.

There's also Food, Training, Supplies (crates, leashes, beds, Pet Sitters, Day care, boarding fees, etc.  

ROB'S IMPORTANT NOTE: Dogs NEED Heartworm and Flea preventative. Our TYLER was heartworm positive before we adopted him. They weakened his heart. The treatment is also 6 months to eliminate them. My friend Dan cared for a shelter dog named Kuzco this year, who died from Heartworm. 

 

2) Do I have the time it takes to care for a pet? Pets ownership involves a lot of money and time.  “Pets require flexibility and time at home to allow for care, training, exercise, and cleaning. Some pets require more attention than others, but all require some daily interaction,” Askeland explained.

3) Do I live in a pet-friendly home? “You can make most living situations with a pet work, but if you live in an apartment, some pets will be more challenging ― dogs need to go out to potty and exercise, in particular,” Askeland said. She emphasized that pets should always be monitored, whether inside or outside and even if in a fenced area.  

4) Am I prepared?  Before you get a pet, keep in mind that you will be sharing life for the next decade or so. “When you are not prepared to give pets the time and type of care they need, pets can become anxious and a source of stress instead of the healing and happiness we often seek from pets.”.

“Once the pet is home, like a marriage, it takes a ‘for better or worse’ attitude and plans for the better,” Tripp said. “Resist bringing home a pet without planning or because you feel ‘love at first sight.’”

5) Is this the right breed for me? Do research the kind of animal you want to bring into your home to see if it’s compatible with your lifestyle. Think about different breeds and the characteristics associated with them. This is especially important for dogs.

ROB NOTE:  If you want a dog to lounge around, Consider a Senior dog - Animal rescues and shelters are LOADED with them.  because cruel, heartless idiots raise them until they are old, and dump them because they need medical care - Like our Dash, who was dumped at a kill shelter at almost 11 years old. 

. Factors to consider include the breed’s activity level, tr

ainability, and its tendency to be vocal and be friendly to other dogs or cats. If you or someone in your household has allergies, think about allergen levels as well.

6) Do I have a good support system and backups if I need help? “It’s best to have everyone in your home involved with caring for the pet, even if you are the primary caregiver,”  Also- think about who would take care of the pet in case of emergencies.

7) Do I have realistic expectations about pet ownership? “ Read books about the pet you want, talking to friends or family who have owned that kind of pet, looking up the cost of care and supplies that the pet will need, researching pet insurance costs, and taking a realistic look at your life and schedule to see how a pet fits in. 

8) Am I willing to make sacrifices for my pet? Reflect on your lifestyle. How pet-friendly is it? And if the answer is “not very,” consider whether you’re willing to make changes for your pet, whether that’s canceling trips, missing social engagements or putting less time into other endeavors. While you may be home a lot in 2020, think about how your life may change as the COVID-19 vaccine gets a wider distribution.  “If you travel frequently for work, a pet may not be an ideal choice because of the time commitment involved,” 

READ MORE: https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Adopting-a-Dog