should I adopt?
take this quiz!
Answer these questions first before deciding on bringing a
pet permanently into your life. Make your decision based on
what's best for you, your family and the animal.
Why do you want a pet?
If the answer is "because I want to love and care for an
animal for its entire lifetime": THUMBS UP! Pets may be with
you for ten, fifteen, and even more years, long after they're "cute," popular,
or a fashion statement.
Do you have time for a pet?
Animals require food, water, exercise, and companionship every
day. You cannot ignore them because you are "too busy," "tired," "traveling," or "sick." Do
you have the time it takes every day of every year of that
animal's lifetime? If the answer is "Yes!" then:
THUMBS UP!
Can you afford a pet?
Pets
need more
than just
leftovers.
In fact,
they need
a diet of healthy pet food, toys, litter, licenses, veterinary
care, and more. If the answer is, "I will make sure my pet
is taken care of" then: THUMBS UP!
Can you
have a pet where you live?
Some rental housing
will not allow any pets.
Other communities may try
to limit the type, size, or number of pets you are allowed.
Be sure you know about any
restrictions before you look
for an animal. If the answer
is, "The pet I choose will
be allowed to live with me"
then: THUMBS UP!
Do you have the right living arrangements for the pet you want?
You don't want a St. Bernard living in a small, cramped apartment.
More importantly, you want to tailor your pet's energy requirements
to the space available. While a Cocker Spaniel might be very
happy in an apartment, a Border Collie, that is similar in
size, may not be. Speak with a HPARA Counselor
to Meet Your Match. If your answer is, "I have thought
about it and this is the right animal for me" then: THUMBS
UP!
Can you deal with the problems that a pet can cause?
Flea infestations, dirt, scratched furniture, chewed shoes,
poop, vomit, and hairballs are just some of the things that
are common with pet ownership. If you can deal with these,
then pet ownership is probably for you and the answer is: THUMBS
UP!
Who will look after your pet when you're
not home?
Can you afford to board your pet or hire a pet sitter when
you are on vacation or out of town? Do you have a reliable
neighbor, relative, or friend to look after your animal if
needed? If the answer is "I will make sure my pet is well cared
for when I am away" then: THUMBS UP!
Will you be a responsible pet owner?
Will you have a problem with community leash laws, pooper-scooper
laws, or any other legal restrictions on you and your pet?
Will you make sure that your animal is confined to a safe and
secure area, for its own sake and that of other animals and
people? If you are committed to be a responsible pet owner
then: THUMBS UP!
If you have 8 THUMBS UP or more then
adopting a pet can be a great decision!
If you have 5-7 THUMBS UP then
you might want to think about what you can do to make pet adoption
a success story for you, your family, and your pet.
If you have less than 5 THUMBS UP, you should
seriously reconsider adopting a pet at this time.