10 Important Things To Consider Before Adopting A Pet

The top 10 checklist is based on a Purina Pets For People survey of more than 180 Adopt-a-Pet.com animal shelters and rescue groups across the United States. Education is a crucial factor in keeping pets in forever homes, and that's why the Permanent Pet Adoption checklist can be a valuable resource for potential pet adopters.

• Provide sufficient exercise and stimulation. (Walk dogs according to individual need, provide playtime and appropriate toys for both dogs and cats, spend time just petting and talking to your pet, include pet in family activities.)
• Plan for a several-week adjustment period during which there will be challenges.
• If you're adopting a pet for your kids, understand that the responsibility is yours. Kids, by their nature, often tire of things that were once new and exciting, and this includes their pets. You will most likely end up being the one who provides most of the pet's care.
• Don't adopt a pet on a whim or because you feel it's love at first sight. Do your research and carefully consider all the aspects and implications of adopting before you make a decision.
• Choose a pet appropriate to your living situation and lifestyle. Figure out what size, age, and energy-level pet is most appropriate for you.
• Instead of giving a pet as a surprise gift, involve the gift recipient in selecting a pet. The “surprise” could be an adoption gift certificate in a gift-wrapped box instead.
• Make any necessary modifications to your yard and fence, if you have one, to provide for your pet's safety and to prevent your pet from escaping.
• Verify in advance that you're allowed to keep a pet where you live, especially if you rent or belong to a homeowners' association.
• Be prepared for a pet to affect other parts of your life for as long as you have the pet (can be up to 15 years for a dog and 20 years for a cat). Your pet's well-being will have to be considered in all kinds of decisions, including travel, social life, relocating to a new home, adopting other pets, having children, etc.
• When you adopt, you need to make a real commitment to care for your pet for its entire life, no matter what that entails, just as you would with a child.