Read more stories in our education archive.

Contributors


Claudia Black-Kalinsky
CPDT-Ka / Owner
Train This Dog
More about Claudia Black-Kalinsky >


Lisa Scarbrough
Founder/Director
Coastal Pet Rescue
More about Lisa Scarbrough >


David Adams
PhD, MPH, MSc
Department of Health Sciences, AASU

 

Before You Adopt

by

January 14, 2014

If you are considering acquiring a pet, ask yourself the following questions:

Does your lease or housing situation legally allow you to keep a pet?

Will someone be home to provide meals for the animal according to a fixed schedule?

Is every member of your household in agreement about acquiring a companion animal?

Does (or will) your own schedule allow ample time to look after the animal, train him appropriately, and consistently provide the loving attention he requires?

If you're considering a puppy or a kitten, are you prepared to spend the time it takes to learn about and apply the appropriate age-specific methods of socializing and training the animal requires before she reaches adolescence?

Will you be able to pay for the food and pet-care supplies the animal will need in maintenance of his well-being?

Are you willing and able to pay for all inoculations, periodic veterinary examinations, and any emergency treatment which the animal will need?

If you're considering a dog, are you willing to exercise her at least twice a day, according to a set schedule?

Are you willing to obey the local community leash, licensing, and poop-scooping laws?

Are you committed to caring for the animal throughout his entire lifetime (which could easily span 15 years)?

Reader Discussion
Comment on this Article

We welcome your comments on this article. Please complete the form to the left to add to the conversation.

Please Note: Coastal Pet Rescue reserves the right to edit or remove any comment that is deemed inappropriate, off-topic, or offensive.

Thank you for your interest and support!