So You Want To Adopt?

Please Think Before You Leap

There are various situations to consider before adopting a life long friend. It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, just begging for attention. You take one look, and the next thing you know, you're walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.

If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.

Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. animals require lots of time, money, and commitment-over 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Things To Know

The fact that you're thinking about adopting from an animal shelter means you're a responsible and caring person. However, before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:

Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or getting a pet just to teach a child responsibility is not a good idea. Pet experts recommend that young kittens are not appropriate for children under age five and suggest a child should be at least six years old before having a pet. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Caring for a kitten is a lot like caring for a baby. They require significantly more time to supervise and care for than an older cat. The first six months are vital to the development of a kitten. Many households are not able to provide what is needed during this time of learning and growing. Kittens that aren’t properly taught and cared for may not grow up to be well-adjusted adults. If you have a young child that already requires a lot of care and time, you should ask yourself if you will have enough time to properly care for a kitten as well.
Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For instance young kittens are fragile creatures that may be too delicate for a household with an exuberant toddler. Small children are often too rough on kittens because they have not yet learned how to treat creatures smaller than themselves. Before adopting a pet, do some research! That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal that will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Get A animal For Life

Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.

Many of the rescue's homeless kittens are victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many animals at the rescue who are more than a year old-animals who were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the animal.

Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love-for the life of the pet.

If you're ready to adopt a companion for life, please click the links above at the top of the page to see a sample of our many wonderful animals available for adoption at the Little Mews Rescue.

If someone tugs at your heart and you would like to meet him or her, please fill out an Adoption Application.

Ready to Adopt?

Apply to Adopt: Cat