Take into consideration all the ages of your family members before adopting a pet.
Approximately 10 to 20 percent of all new dog and cat acquisitions are done through adoptions, according to the American Society for the Prevention Against Cruelty to Animals. There are several issues to consider before adopting any type of pet, whether a cat, dog, bird, snake or something more exotic.
Costs
The average yearly cost of owning a dog can range drastically from $287 to $2,485, according to Pet Education. These costs include adoption fees, food and veterinary care. There are several other costs that may come into play during the life of a pet, including any emergency medical needs. Other types of pets also will carry a high cost, especially if the animal is alive for several decades, as is possible with cats, turtles and some breeds of domestic birds.
Behavioral Issues
Behavior issues can arise from animals that are formerly abused, improperly socialized with other animals and humans, or received no basic obedience training. When adopting a pet, look for early signs that the dog may have aggression issues. These include nipping, biting, shyness or growling. Even if the animal is displaying no signs of aggression at the shelter, it may begin to show these tendencies when brought home and introduced to other animals and humans. Minor behavioral issues, such as a lack of potty training, can be solved with obedience training. When adopting a pet, keep in mind the cost associated with obedience training.
Home Issues
A pet should only be adopted when it can be brought into a stable, steady environment. For instance, a person or family that has a history of several moves or lives in an apartment complex that does not allow pets are not good candidates for pet adoption. Several shelters throughout the country also require proof of residence before an adoption can become finalized. The size of a home and outdoor living area is also a consideration. A larger dog will require more room, so a homeowner that has a smaller house and yard should keep this in mind when deciding upon the size and breed of the animals.
Family Readiness
Adopting an animal is a decision that requires the assistance and compliance of the entire family. If there is one member of the family that is unwilling to help with the newest addition, it can cause anger, resentment and hurt feelings toward the new pet. Before adopting a pet, consider this and the ages of the people in the home. According to Pet Finder, a household that contains children under the age of 5 should not adopt toy dogs under 15 pounds or puppies that are younger than 5 months old. A puppy has sharp teeth and claws that can scratch or hurt a smaller child. Toy breeds of dogs are also too fragile to withstand the exuberant, curious nature of young kids.
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