Should I get a pet?

Have you been thinking about bringing a pet into your home?

But are you ready? Should I get a pet?

• Maybe your kids are begging you for a pet.
• Or you live alone and have been thinking that a pet could be a great companion.
• You may have just lost a special pet that you’d like to replace.

Bringing home a pet should never be an impulse decision. You need to take the time to find out what it would be like to live with any pet you are considering.

Checklist – 12 Things To Consider Before Bringing Home A Pet

1. Do we live in an apartment or housing where we need to get a landlord’s permission?
2. If children are in the household are they ready for a pet? Are they old enough to understand not to play roughly with or injure a pet?
3. If there are children in the household, are the adults prepared to spend time supervising the interaction between the children and the pet?
4. Do we have enough space in our home to accommodate a cage, tank, or enclosure for a pet, so that it has space to sleep, eat, and exercise?
5. Do any family members have allergies to pets that may affect your decision?
6. What are the environmental conditions in our home?
7. Do we already have a pet at home that needs to be considered?
8. Do we travel a lot? How will we care for your pet if we are away?
9. Is someone at home enough to give a pet the attention and social interaction that it needs?
10. What is our activity level and would a pet match our level?
11. Are we able to commit to the lifetime of the pet, whether it be as short as a fish or as long as some birds?
12. Can we afford not only the initial cost for buying the pet and its equipment, but also for ongoing and emergency care, including food, vet visits, and medication?