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Humane Education
Before you adopt a Pet
Consider This...
A new pet can provide you and your family members with more unconditional love than you can imagine. But please remember that acquiring a pet is a lifetime commitment and should not be taken lightly.
There are several things to consider before adding a new member to your family:
Do you want an adult cat or a kitten?
The amount of time that you will need to spend training your new pet depends greatly on its age. Kittens are full of boundless energy and may release it by climbing up curtains and other household items unless trained not to do so, while older cats are less energetic, but just as loving.
How much time do you spend away from home?
When pets are left alone for long periods of time (more than 8-10 hours) they may display frustration behaviors such as scratching and chewing. In addition, if you are frequently away on overnight trips, it will be necessary to have someone care for your pet. Cats need regular exercise too. Will you have time in your schedule for daily play time with your cat or kitten?
Do you have small children?
Are they old enough to interact with a cat or kitten responsibly without hurting themselves or the animal? Are they gentle and loving with pets? Do they want a pet? How will they feel about your spending time with the new pet?
Cost
Remember that the average life span of an indoor cat can be up to 20 years. Your pet will need to have regular veterinary care (not to mention veterinary attention for any unforeseen emergencies), a nutritious pet food, toys, litter pan and litter, a pet carrier (for trips in the car) and other miscellaneous supplies. All this can add up. Are you and your budget ready for the additional expense?
Unforeseen Situations
There's an old saying that the only constant in life is change. At some point, you and your family are bound to be affected by a change in job, location, family status — or perhaps all three! How will this affect your pet? If you are required to move, will you be able to take your pet with you? Are you willing to consider your pet in the re-location process? What if you or another family member becomes allergic to your pet? Do you plan to have children? Do you plan to have more than one pet? What if your pet comes down with a debilitating disease? How will you provide for your pet under these circumstances? Unfortunately, many of the pets in shelters today are there because their previous owners didn't consider these possibilities. Please, before you make your decision, think about it seriously so your pet doesn't become a statistic — once again.
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