Things to consider before buying/adopting a pet

[Ange]

Before getting a pet, here are a few tips and suggestions on how to make the whole experience as stress free as possible.

General Tips

1. Do not impulse buy/adopt! Even if the cute blue eyed kitten is rubbing all over your legs or the waggy tailed dog is licking all over you. If you never thought of adopting an animal, wait. Go home, thinking about and consider all the changes you will have to make because of this new addition. If you have no other pets at the moment, a dog or a cat could be a lifestyle change. More on this later.

2. Why do you want a pet? Just because everyone has one? The kids ask for it? Remember, the pet you buy could have a 15-20 year lifespan or more.

3. Are you allowed to have pets where you live? Is there a size limit or a limit on how many cats/dogs you are allowed. Is the pet you want legal where you live? Sugar gliders and Quakers are popular but are illegal in several states. Check with your city/county if you need to register your pet with them.

4. Vacations. What are you going to do with the pet when you go on vacation? Can you afford boarding if no one can let the dog out or scoop the boxes?

5. What kind of pet do you want? What's the lifespan? How big will they get full grown? What are their habitat, dietary, vet requirements. For example, Russian Tortoises can live to be 80 years old. Some animals are better suited for children than others. C.ockatiels are popular but they are easily spooked by kids who move rapidly and some kids don't like the way the bird's talons feel.

6. Small/Exotic Animals. If you are getting an exotic animal, make sure you have a vet on hand. Birds should only be seen by an avian vet. If you are getting a small animal, find a small animal vet. Usually avian vets will also do small animals.

7. Consider the cost. Can you afford to take your pet to the vets? Can you afford to feed it properly? If you go on vacation, can you pay for a sitter or boarding? Can you afford everything it needs for its habitat?

8. Lifetime commitment. Are you prepared to care for this animal for the rest of its life?

9. Issues/Problems. Are you prepared to care for this animals if issues develop? Are you prepared to train your animal? Correct behavior issues? Willing to pay for medical expenses? Emergency medical expenses?

Tips when buying/adopting

1. Please consider adoption instead of buying. There are many pets that need a new home. By adopting a pet from a shelter, you are saving his/her life.

2. Finding a pet.

• Animal Shelters. They have many animals that are put down every day! Adopting from a shelter means you are saving a life!
• Check petfinder.com for the type of animals you may want to get. You might be surprised what they actually have. I've seen chickens, ducks, and of course cats and dogs but also birds, ferrets, tortoises, horses, reptiles, etc.
• Craigslist is also a place you can check. There are many animals that people are trying to rehome because they are moving or they found. Please do not adopt/buy from a backyard breeder. They are not reputable, some breed their females as often as possible.
• Pure bred animals do end up in shelters! Check the shelters first!
• Visit with the animal you may get, see how s/he does with people. Don't make a quick decision. Make sure the pet looks healthy and resist getting a pet that looks sick. (I'll add to this later)

3. Breeders. If you really want to buy from a breeder, visit the breeder. A reputable breeder will not breed repeatedly and will be ok with the visit. Most breeders will have a contract for you to sign. A good age for kittens and puppies to find a new home is 8-12 weeks. Make sure that the animals is weaned! A breeder should not give you an unweaned animal!
Ask questions:

• Are they healthy?
• How often do they breed?
• What's the history of the blood line?
• Have they socialized the puppies?
• What do they feed their animals?
• Have they been vetted? What shots have they had? Have they been wormed?
• What happens if you find out that the animal you took home has a birth defect/hereditary illness (heart issues, etc)? Will they take the animal back (if you're not willing to keep it)?
• Do they provide a health certificate?
• Ask for references: other people that have bought from them.
• Ask to see the parents (Dad may not be there. Breeders will allow other breeders to use their males for breeding).
• Will they let your own vet examine the animal before you make a commitment?
• Where are they raised? Is their pen cleaned?

4. Animal Shelters. Check your local animal shelters. They have many animals that are put down every day! Adopting from a shelter means you are saving a life!

5. Christmas, Easter, etc. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to find a puppy under the tree or get a bunny for Easter? Just remember that it's a full time job and a puppy/kitten/animal will be with you for many years to come!

6. Do not cave to your children saying "I'll help mom!!" "Dad, I'll take care of it, promise!!" "I'll walk the dog every day! I'll get up early!!". They will help, for a while....and then it's not exciting. Who is left to care for the animal? You are. Never get a pet thinking you are not going to be responsible for it. It's a great responsibility learning experience but just realize from day 1 that you will be doing most of the work. Why not do the chores together?

Considering the costs

(Some are based on my pets and location. These are just estimates based on what I buy, which brands I choose, etc. You should just use it as a list of things to think of and you should go to the store and check out the prices.)
1. Dog:

• Initial adoption fee or buying price: $0-100 for shelters/rescues and it can go a lot higher for breeders.
• Food: $35/month - $420/yr
• Vet: Initial vet visit: $150-200 depending on what gets done and this varies a lot by location. Puppies usually have 3 vet visits for all their shots. Then they don't need any until they are 1.
• Vet: Second vet visit: $150-200
• Vet: Third vet visit: $150-200
• Spay/neuter: $100-300 (again, that's in my area)
• City registration: depends on location. It's probably between $5-15
• Frontline Plus: $12-15/month - 144-180/year
• Heartworm: $5-8/month - $60-100/year
• Dog beds: $40- ++
• Dog crate: $100
• Water/Food bowl: $15 for both.
• Toys: $50-100 (that's really up to you)
• Total: $1352-1970/year

2.Cat

• Initial adoption fee or buying price: $0-100 for shelters/rescues and it can go a lot higher for breeders.
• Food: $10-20/month - $120-240/yr
• Litter: $10-40/month - $120-480/year (depends on how many cats you have. I spend $40/month on litter)
• Cat Box: $20-30
• Vet: Initial vet visit: $100-200 depending on what gets done and this varies a lot by location. Kittens usually have 3 vet visits for all their shots. Then they don't need any until they are 1.
• Vet: Second vet visit: $100-200
• Vet: Third vet visit: $100-200
• Cat carrier: $40 - ++
• Spay/neuter: $100-300 (again, that's in my area)
• City registration: depends on location. It's probably between $5-15
• Frontline Plus: $12-15/month - $120-160/year
• Heartworm: $5-8/month - $60-100/year
• Cat tree: $100- ++
• Water/Food bowl: $15 for both.
• Toys: $50-100 (that's really up to you)
• Total: $950-2480/year

So you are sure you want to adopt, what now?

1. Which breed? Once you know what kind of pet you want, find out which breed you want. There's a lot of information online about breeds, their needs etc. Is this an animal that needs a lot of human interaction? Will you be able to provide that?

2. Getting ready. Once you know which animal and which breed you want, you can start a check list of things to buy before you bring your new family member home.

• If you are getting a bird, make sure you get the right bar spacing and the right shape. Some birds need a cage that is more high than wide and other need the opposite. (Just a note: a bird that dehulls its seeds does not need grits and it can actually cause impaction!)
• Read up on diets, which one will you choose?
• Purchase the items you need, boxes,beds, bowls, litter, cage/crates, food, a few toys, a collar, leash, gates, etc. You may want to wait on the collar to make sure you get the right size.

Once you have your pet.

• Take your pet to the vet. Even if they said they have done everything, you want to make sure everything is fine. Your vet will also do blood tests and fecal tests. Your vet will also tell you if you need additional shots.
• Make sure you stick to the shot schedule.
• Request that your vet give your pet a capstar pill. This will kill all fleas on your pet within 30 minutes.
• If your pet isn't spayed/neutered, please spay/neuter your pet. It will prevent unwanted pregnancies and add to the unwanted pets out there.
• Get a tag for your pet and a microchip. Even if your pet is strictly indoors, get a microchip! Pets can slip out and do slip out all the time! Did you know you can even microchip birds as small as c.ockatiels?
• Put your dogs and cats on flea medication and heartworm medication. Cats/Dogs get heartworm from mosquitoes. The pills do not cost much but the cost to treat heartworm is very high and sometimes not successful. Fleas are also preventable. My husband is very allergic to fleas and we have never had an infestation in 4 years that we've had dogs/cats. I use Frontline Plus. I also treat my yard twice in the summer against pests.

(I will add more this.)

[prettyjolie]

I wish I would've read this before adopting a pet.

I think people should also think about whether or not they even like animals or taking care of them. If someone, like me, isn't used to be around pets and wasn't raised around animals, it is really hard to get used to having one. It's especially difficult, time consuming and frustrating with a puppy/kitten that isn't house trained.

Oh, and if you buy off craigslist, make sure you check that the pet doesn't have fleas before you bring it into your house. I learned this the hard way. =/

[Ange]

I wasn't raised around them either. And yeah checking for fleas is important. When i get a new dog/cat, the first thing I do is swing by a vets office to get a capstar pill. I'll add that to the list.
I plan on doing another thing one day on basic training. Are you in OKC or T town? (I forgot)

[cupcake]

This is very good, Ange!

[Ange]

Thanks I have more to add but I got really sleepy there! Maybe add some specific tips for dogs, cats, fish etc.

[nineten]

I've seen several of these on various sites and are very informative and eye-opening to those that are searching for a pet. I think everybody should have to read these before being able to buy/adopt. There are so many things that will arise that they initially wouldn't ever think about. If I see anything that might add to your list I'll send it to you to add if you wish.

I was quite happy to have enlightened a co-worker (the first one that donated) about not buying at a pet store, flea market or on the side of the road. We discussed the puppy mills too. He wasn't aware of them.

He'll be getting a print-out of this.

[Ange]

Yeah i've read those too over the years. I was in a petstore and heard the guy telling a mom who had 3 small kids that a c.ockatiel would make a great starter bird. And it does...but they don't like sudden movements. Shoot, if anyone goes in that room too fast, you hear a lot of flapping. I talked to the mom after and told her that they are great starter pets but not necessarily with small kids (it depends on a child too obviously).

I need to add the fact that you should get the 3 year shots because they do save money in the long run.

I have a lot more to add. There's a lot to think about. Like I didn't know that UV bulbs are only good for a year. Depending on the animal and the bulb you need, that could add 50$ to your yearly budget.

[Tropical]

So in looking for a pet I see there is a down side to adopting - they make it tough. I have the time and space for a pet and I'm conciously looking for a breed that fares well indoors and doesnt need AS MUCH walking. So I'm looking for Chihuahuas and the such (short haired small dog) but the adoption agencies are hesistant almost to the point of flat out saying no to me when I say I live in an apt....so what am I to do?

[Ange]

I would talk to them and tell them you do plan on walking them, maybe tell them about a parl nearby where you can play etc. they shouldn't be hesitant like that for a small dog, that's ridiculous.

[epm]

Great info!