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PETS
PET TOPICS
Choosing a pet has a major impact on how much you will enjoy your pet over the years, as well as how much you will spend to both acquire the pet and care for the pet. A lot of factors enter into the decision, with personal preferences perhaps the most obvious. But many factors are important. Think ahead and try not to make an emotional decision.
1. What kind of pet is best for you?
a. The amount of time you have available to care for the pet, as well as how much time you want to spend with the pet, is key to help determine what kind of pet is best. Goldfish require a lot less time and dedication than a dog. Cats, of course, require somewhat less time than a dog, etc. Some pets only survive a few months or a couple of years. Other pets will need care and attention for well over ten years.
b. The type of house you have is also important. The smaller the house and the smaller the yard, and the more urban the setting, the more limitations there are on what kind of pet you can realistically care for. For instance, if you live on a farm, a horse might just work. If you live in a city apartment, a small dog might be too much of a challenge, but a cat just right. In a house with a small yard, a small dog might be fine, but a large dog would be a problem.
c. Whether or not there are small children in the house is also important. Some pets are great with small children, others are definitely not. If an elderly person resides in the house, that may also be a consideration.
d. Whether the pet may be a bother to your neighbors should also be considered.
e. Pet allergies are also a concern. Make sure you do not have allergies to the type of pet you are considering. It is not uncommon to find a nice pet and then end up having to give them away because of allergies.
f. Certain pets come in pure-
g. Of course, the cost of acquiring the pet and caring for the pet needs to be seriously
considered. Can you really afford the pet you are considering, and is the cost really
worth it? Is there a less expensive way to go and still have a pet you really enjoy?
Depending on the type of pet and its needs, costs can include purchase price, feeding,
grooming, veterinary expenses, medications, toys and accessories, training, etc.
Goldfish are pretty economical pets to both acquire and care for. At the other
end of the spectrum, a well-
h. Or, after considering everything, perhaps getting a pet is just not the right thing to do at this time. Consider spending some time with friends’ pets, or help out at the animal shelter or SPCA to have some of the enjoyment of spending time with animals, but little of the obligation.
2. Depending on the type of pet you have chosen, purchase price may or may not be a major consideration. But if it is, consider the following:
a. Consider if a “gift” pet from a friend or neighbor will provide you that perfect
pet at little or no cost. Often, offspring are available and all that is required
is a good home. This is not just true for puppies and kittens, but for other types
of pets also, such as rabbits, mice, fish, etc. And, sometimes, full-
b. The local animal shelter is a great way to find your pet at minimal cost, while providing a home to a pet that may have no other alternative. Often, animal shelters have both very young pets, as well as adult pets available for adoption. And many times, animal shelters have a variety of pets in addition to cats and dogs. Many of the pets available at animal shelters may have already had most or all of their vaccinations and be spayed or neutered; major costs when acquiring many new pets. Visit your shelter before you get a pet and see if you can provide a home to an unwanted animal. But make sure you know the history of the animal, and any behavioral problems the animal may have.
c. If purchasing a pet is best, look around for the type of pet you want and the best price. Generally, purchasing a pet from a reputable breeder (or homeowner that just happens to have a litter for sale) is less expensive and less risky. Make sure you understand whether or not the breeder is good. Take a look around their place, and ask for recommendations, before you purchase. Depending on the type of pet, buying from a pet store is probably the most expensive way to go. But sometimes people just cannot resist the “cuteness” factor. Try to avoid buying a pet at a flea
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