Depending on who you ask, the holiday season can be a great time to welcome a new furry pet into your family or one of the worst times. The decision should not be taken lightly. No matter when you bring a pet into your home, careful thought must go into the process of deciding. Here are some critical considerations before adopting a dog or any other furry friend for that matter.
If you are not ready to bring a new pet into your home, that’s ok! You need to do what is best for you. If you aren’t ready, but decide to still bring a pet into your home, you are doing a disservice to you and the pet. So please put a lot of thought into the decision.
Assess Your Time & Lifestyle
Do you work long hours? Or maybe you work from home? Take a lot of vacations? All of these considerations should be thought of when it comes to the time you’ll be able to commit to your pet. You may need to line up additional pet care throughout the day, or after work, if your time at home is more sparse (which will likely cost additional money).
Where you live is also a factor. If you’re renting, be sure to ask your rental company if there are breed or size restrictions. Having a smaller space may deter you from getting a larger or more active dog. Not having a fenced-in yard may be another consideration for your pet’s safety and ease of pet ownership - which could be another cost to consider.
In addition to your daily routine, when you welcome a new pet into your family, it’s a lifelong commitment that can be more than 10 years, depending on the breed. Not only do you need to assess your current lifestyle, but you also need to factor in the future as well. This might also be a time in your life when you’re unable to commit to a pet, and that’s okay!
Here are the average lifespans of some popular pets:
Research Breed
After you’ve spent time assessing your lifestyle and availability to commit to your dog, it’s time to research which breed fits in line with that. If you have more time and maintain a more active lifestyle, finding a dog that can match that might be the way to go. More active dogs also require multiple walks a day or even play sessions in a park or your backyard. The bottom line is all dogs require a lot of attention throughout the day. Researching and meeting various dogs to see their temperament is always recommended before you commit and bring them home!
Budget Your Finances
Pet expenses can add up quickly. From all the initial essentials you’ll need for them (food, treats, crate, leash/collar) to the initial vet visit, you may be surprised at the initial cost - in addition to any adoption fees. If you’re adopting a puppy, you will also want to factor in spay and neutering surgery fees. In addition to those upfront costs, you’ll want to plan for potential boarding costs, doggy daycare, unexpected emergency vet bills, and maybe a few incidentals around your home too. You may even want to consider looking into pet insurance to help offset costs or plan for emergencies down the line. Budgeting to welcome a dog into your home, may take a little bit of time, but worth the planning!
Where to Find a Dog
There are many reasons why adopting from a local shelter is a great route to take, from helping your community to opening up a new space in that shelter for the next animal. Looking for a shelter or foster-based rescue organization near you? PetFinder has a great search feature here.
Endless Joy & Wet Kisses!
Just remember, after all the planning you’ll ultimately be adding a new member to your family and a new best friend. It’s also important to remember, that as much as you plan, all dogs and breeds have their own different backgrounds and may come with a few quirks. At the end of the day, you won’t ever be able to put a price on the love you’ll receive from your four-legged friend.
