| Finding the perfect pet friend to make your life | | | | way of petting and playing. Even with cats mostly |
| complete depends on several different considerations. | | | | taking care of themselves, there will be expenses to |
| Choosing a domestic animal to cohabit with is not | | | | consider. Every cat will need its own food and water |
| only a matter of the heart, but also a very practical | | | | bowls as well as its own kitty litter box, litter, food, |
| matter of the mind. You must do some serious | | | | shots and more. |
| soul-searching and take inventory of your life as is | | | | Birds |
| before even deciding to adopt a pet of any type. | | | | There are many varieties of birds that make good |
| First you must determine whether you would be a | | | | pets for humans. Some of these include parakeets, |
| good pet owner. Have you had pets before? Do you | | | | finches or canaries. More exotic breeds found in |
| know how to take care of the type of pet you are | | | | homes are cockatoos and parrots. Birds tend to be |
| considering? Taking care of a cat is different than | | | | pretty low-maintenance, but like other pets do |
| taking care of a dog or bird or even a goldfish. | | | | require some care on your part. In addition to feeding |
| Consider your current lifestyle. Will a pet fit in? Are | | | | and providing water, you will need to clean the bird's |
| you home enough to devote the time that a pet | | | | cage regularly and provide toys for its entertainment. |
| requires? Are there children or other pets in your | | | | Other Pets |
| home that must be considered? Can you afford the | | | | Other common pets in U.S. households include guinea |
| financial responsibility of taking care of a household | | | | pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, iguanas, turtles, fish |
| pet? You must also consider who will care for your | | | | and others. With each of these types of pets it is |
| pet when you are traveling, whether for business or | | | | very important to educate yourself on the care |
| vacation. | | | | requirements and time/money commitments required. |
| If you have taken complete inventory of your life | | | | Choosing Your Type of Pet |
| and are able to confidently affirm that you are ready | | | | Whether you do all the reading and research on |
| to adopt a pet for life, the guide below will help steer | | | | different types of pets or know from the very |
| you in the right direction in terms of finding the pet | | | | beginning (in your gut) which type of pet is right for |
| that will fit you best. | | | | you, you will eventually figure out if a cat, dog or |
| Dogs | | | | other type of animal is right for you and your home. |
| Puppies and dogs alike require more time and | | | | Once you have decided what you want to get, you |
| attention than other types of pets. Even the most | | | | must prepare you home. Go to your local library and |
| passive of the canine breed will need walks more | | | | look for a book on how to prepare your home for |
| than once a day as well as adequate playtime daily. | | | | the type of pet you plan to get. You can also find |
| In addition, dogs may require obedience training. Many | | | | online guides to help you prepare for your new family |
| people prefer dogs to other types of pets because | | | | member. Once you have pet-proofed your home and |
| they can be trained to protect the home or do tricks | | | | stocked up on all the comforts to make your new |
| that amuse and impress humans. However, training | | | | pet feel at home, you're ready to start looking! |
| your animal to do what you want takes a lot of skill | | | | Adopt a Pet |
| and effort and does not (by any means) happen by | | | | Though pets of all types can easily be found in pet |
| itself. Taking care of a dog is a lot of work. In | | | | stores, adopting a pet from your local animal shelter, |
| addition to feeding, walking (which means picking up | | | | an animal foster home or even from a family that |
| after) and training, dogs must be bathed and | | | | can no longer keep its pet is best. By adopting rather |
| groomed. This means that you will either find yourself | | | | than buying a pet, you will be providing a home for |
| struggling with a wiggly, breathless pup in the tub, or | | | | an animal that may otherwise run into an unfavorable |
| that you will shell out wads of cash for someone else | | | | fate. Also, adopting a pet in need of a home is very |
| to do your dirty work. | | | | likely to be more affordable than buying a puppy or |
| As much work as caring for a dog may be, many | | | | kitten from a pet store. Check you local SPCA Web |
| people find the trouble to be well worth it. Dogs are | | | | site to see if animals available for adoption are listed. |
| excellent companions and actually build a strong bond | | | | Many times these sites include pictures of the critters |
| with their owners. Dogs of different breeds and | | | | that are looking for homes. |
| varieties exhibit various different qualities and | | | | Don't forget to reach out to your local community. |
| personality traits, making it pretty easy to find the | | | | Many times families have to give up pets due to |
| perfect one for you (if you look long enough). | | | | circumstances that are out of their control. They |
| Cats | | | | may find themselves having to move into a home |
| Cats are known to have more independent, | | | | where animals are not allowed. Perhaps a member of |
| discriminating personalities. Felines will largely take care | | | | the family has developed an uncontrollable allergy to |
| of themselves, requiring little to no bathing or | | | | the family pet. In these cases, families may be |
| grooming on your part. Cats are extremely easy to | | | | looking for good homes for the pets they have |
| house-train and are generally very clean animals. Cats | | | | lovingly cared for up until now. By checking your local |
| tend to be better pets for households where nobody | | | | classifieds or bulletin boards at your pet supply store, |
| is home for the majority of the day. Some cats, | | | | you can connect with these families and possibly find |
| however, do require much attention and affection by | | | | your perfect pet! |