Do you want a pet to love and care for? How do you know the pet to choose for your home and family? Here are some tips for pet selection.
Many children want a pet, but can you take adequate care of a pet? Are you up to the challenge? Do you have the responsibility to take on the care and feeding of a pet?
There are some who say that having a pet teaches responsibility, but it is important for the pet’s sake that you have some ability before you take a pet. You should know enough about the pet you want to judge whether you can offer him a good home.
Many studies show the physical and emotional benefits of having a pet, but will the arrangement be beneficial for the animal? Recently, I visited an animal preserve where lions and tigers which had been kept in homes and apartments were being cared for. Some suffered crippling because of poor nutrition. (Can you feed your lion a live gazelle?) Some were injured by being kept in cages too small for them or from being chained tightly. The former owners had taken them as small cubs and not realized what was involved in their care. This sad situation happens often. Be sure you choose a suitable pet that you can take good care of.
Choose the right pet for your situation.
Review the rules and regulations for pets in your home. If you live on a farm, in a small house in town, on rental property, in an apartment, or in a housing complex, the rules will be different. Find out the rules for where you live.
Research the types of animals you are interested in. Read carefully about specific animals. Don’t assume that a monkey will be as easy to care for as a kitten. Know what noises the pet makes. What housing he will need. If an iguana needs a cage with a perch will a birdcage do? What will you need for the pet? Can you provide it?
- Will you be able to feed the animal what he needs to stay healthy? How much and what kind of food will this pet need and what does it cost? Figure in growth and changing needs.
- What costs are involved? A vet’s service for a dog’s vaccinations can cost $100 or more a year. Be sure you can afford care.
- What equipment will you need for your pet? o Will you be able to afford him the air, sunlight, and special accommodations he needs? Not everyone can tend an aquarium or put up with the smell of a ferret or the noise of a caged bird.
- Will you be able to care for the pet on your own? Will you need help?
- Will there be special health concerns? For example, a small turtle might be kept in a tank in a small apartment, but turtles carry salmonella poisoning and cannot be handled unless special precautions are taken which are time consuming and costly. How large will the pet you want grow?
- Is the pet allowed by the landlord?
- Is a license required? Yearly vaccinations?
- What housing will the pet need? A tank? A cage? A box, bed, or outside shelter like a dog house? Can you provide shelter?
- Is the animal safe with children?
Choose a healthy pet. A pet from a shelter should be clean and strong. A pet that sickens and dies can be an awful experience for the family. A pet shop should be reputable, taking the health of the animal a priority. Strays may not be safe and might be only lost and will be reclaimed. Wild pets can also be dangerous as carriers of disease.
Learn about your pet: The purchase of a book or loan from the library of a book on that specific species will help the child take better care of the pet. Pet shop owners or veterinarians are good sources of information on particular animals. Look for videos about the animal you are considering. Check the internet for information. Talk to owners who can offer advice.
Write down the pros and cons. Include the whole family in the decision about if, when, and which pet you will take on. Discuss all the pros and cons, so you will know if the pet you choose is the right choice for everyone involved. Vote on your choice. Choosing the right pet is often a time consuming process, but the right pet can add fun and happiness to a home, take the time to research and choose wisely and enjoy the addition to your home.
Reading about Pets: For some fun and thought provoking reading about choosing a suitable pet try these books:
Capyboppy by Bill Peet (about a pet capybara)
The Biggest Bear by Lynn Ward ( about a pet bear cub)
The Yearling By Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (about a deer fawn)
