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By Meriah Gammage  Feeling Ready? It is no secret that pets add an extra level of enjoyment to our lives and families! Perhaps you and your family are ready to embrace more responsibility, you need companionship, or maybe you are just wanting to offer love and comfort to a rescue animal; whatever reason you have for considering expanding your animal family, there are a few key things to consider before going forward. The good news is, you're in the right place! Where Do You Start? Breed: I cannot stress just how important it is to research breeds of dogs(and cats) that will fit into your and your family's lifestyle and home! Companion animals vary so widely in shapes, sizes, and personalities that is crucial to make sure you choose a breed that makes sense for you. If you are a marathon runner who wants a running buddy, a Pomeranian may not be to best choice; a busy single mother of four may not have the time that a Husky or Australian Shepherd may require for exercise. Google is your friend, here! Who will have which responsibilities? It is also worth considering who will be doing what for your new companion. If you have children, are they truly ready for the responsibility? Who will do the feeding, brushing, and exercise? If you work, is someone available throughout the day to allow them outside to potty? Make sure you and your family discuss these things BEFORE bringing home your companion so that there are clear expectations and plans in place! Are you financially ready? This is where you really have to be honest with yourself! It is very easy and natural to crave animal companionship, but you have to think about the financial implications of a new pet before going forward. Adoption fees from shelters can vary from around $50 to as much as $350, depending on the organization; these fees generally include spay/neuter costs, vaccinations, and some extra to help meet the needs of the shelter. Breeders can charge upward of $1,200 for purebred pups. In addition, you should have some money set aside for potential vet bills, food, and any other needs of your new pet.  Getting Your New Pet Shelter Pets: The next step is to decide where you want to procure your new companion: a shelter/rescue or a breeder. According to the ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/) website, about 6.3 million companion animals enter the U.S. shelters, every year. While this is an overwhelming number to consider, it has declined from approximately 7.3 million in 2011, largely due to increased adoption rates which is amazing news! If Americans continue to adopt their companions from shelters and practice responsible spay and neuter standards, we should see this number continue to move ever downward. If you have decided that a shelter pet is the way to go, there are a few things to consider: There are many misconceptions about animals(especially dogs) that are adopted from shelter settings: that they may be destructive, ill-tempered, and hard to train. While it cannot be said that this is never the case, it is worth noting that the aforementioned behaviors are a result of the animal not having had the proper care and direction from a young age. They have likely experienced high levels of fear, uncertainty, and stress, however, dogs are notoriously loyal and eager to please. It is important to give your shelter pet your full attention as they settle into your home. Observe them, and note if there are things that you need to keep in mind: are they anxious around food? Do they cower and hide? Are they hyperactive and destructive? There are fixes for each of these behaviors that are simpler than you may think! Providing a crate or kennel for them to feel sheltered, avoiding direct eye contact, plenty of walks and playtime are just a few! You have to keep in mind that by bringing this pet into your home, you have accepted the role of provider for that pet and that means more than filling their food bowl. It is your job to provide structure and direction to help your new companion settle into their new life! While it may seem daunting, many people have found joy and fulfillment through shelter adoption. There are resources available to help you navigate any potential behavioral issues through local shelters. After digesting all of that, you may be thinking, “Why don't I skip all of that trouble and just adopt a shelter puppy,” and I hear you! That is a very valid point, however, you may be doing yourself and an older shelter dog a huge disservice by not keeping your options open. You would be surprised at how many animals are surrendered to shelters by their owners by no fault of the animal. Some families cannot care for a deceased family member's dogs and cats, they are relocating or they have suffered a personal upheaval that left their hands tied. Do yourself a favor, and take your time selecting your new companion. Breeder: With that being said, it is unrealistic to expect that every American will avoid purchasing companions from breeders. If you have decided that this is the option for you, there are things that you should be sure of before going forward: First, you should always verify that the breeder is reputable. Visit their website and read reviews, see if they are a member of their breed's kennel club and how long they have been in operation. It should be standard for you to be able to visit the kennel to observe their environment and mother, but if COVID makes this too difficult, it should not be an issue for the breeder to provide you with photos and videos of the litter and their mother. Pay close attention and observe if their environment is clean and sanitary, that the puppies are lively and healthy-looking, and that their mother is available to them. It is true that some purebred dogs can suffer from health problems, and a responsible breeder will routinely do health screenings of their litters to ensure they are not breeding in harmful genetics and keep them free of disease. There could truly be a whole separate post about how to make sure your breeder is responsible, so my best advice is to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Visit the American Kennel Club (https://www.akc.org/) website, and familiarize yourself with the criteria your breeder should meet or exceed before moving forward.  Training Time! No matter where your new companion comes from, or what their age is, it is very critical to provide consistent and clear direction on what your expectations are. “But they are so cute!” you say! I get it, but in most cases that tiny ball of fluff will not be tiny forever, and it won't be so cute when they drag you down the street after a squirrel or shred the couch! If you begin teaching your new pet the commands that you expect them to follow from the very beginning, it will save you a lot of grief down the line. Now, as far as cats go, giving them time and space seems to be the best way to go. I've found that making them a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of the household(an extra bathroom or large closet), with easy access to a litter box, food, and water. Read their body language, and don't push their boundaries for a few days and they should acclimate just fine. If, for any reason, you feel as though you need help or resources for training, hop on Google and search for dog trainers in your area! Many will do a free consultation where they can answer questions that may really give you some insight on how to proceed. If you are on a budget, stop by your local library and check out a book on your dog's specific breed, training, and other pet-related topics! Knowledge is power!  Bringing a new animal into your home is always an exciting time! By doing your research and making
sure you are prepared, you will ensure a smooth transition and set yourself up for a whole heap of joy and fun! Best of luck! |