Being a Responsible Animal Adopter

Please don't buy a pet on a whim without thinking carefully about the decision. An animal is not just another toy or possession --he is a living, breathing, thinking creature with needs, wants and feelings all his own. Too many people these days think of pets as merely a fun purchase --another thing to brighten up their days with no cost involved. Instead of being looked on as objects, animals that are adopted as pets into our homes should be considered a privilege and an important responsibility. Just because you think having a pet would be fun or comforting doesn't mean you should take on that responsibility.

Buying a pet means taking on the responsibility to feed, train, love and care for that animal in the best way possible. Any responsibility means the giving up of certain freedoms or taking on certain costs. In the case of an animal, one thing you'll need to give up is your ability to come and go as you please. An animal needs to be fed regularly, be walked, have the litter cleaned, get routine medications and be taken to the vet if he gets sick or just needs a checkup. You can't just go away for the weekend without considering what to do with your pet. A pet also involves considerable expenses. You'll need to buy him food, basic care products and pet meds. For example, if you get a cat or dog, you'll need to get him a pet flea medicine like Frontline Plus at the very least. If you get a dog, he'll also need a heartworm medication, like this one. Visits to the vet can be very costly, and you can't just decide not to go because you can't afford it.

With all this in mind, again I ask you to consider carefully before adopting an animal. At the same time, I decidedly encourage you to adopt a pet if you're willing to take on these responsibilities. A pet can be a real joy in a home. They are often good companions, fast friends, careful caretakers and also plain adorable. Just be aware that a pet is a living creature just like you.