Pet Adoption Guidelines: Choosing a Pet

The decision has been made to adopt a pet for you and your family. Before heading to the shelter, be sure to consider the following guidelines for choosing your new pet. Remember, you are adding a member to your family that hopefully will grow as your children do, or as your companion after the kids have moved out. Make sure you have considered all aspects.

Don't focus only on purebred animals 

The appearance of being a purebred is no indication that the animal is mentally or physically superior to the mixed breed. The value of shelter animals is tied directly to the pet's capacity to become a loving member of your family. Mixed breed pets are equally likely to be love sponges and they have one attribute that purebreds do not; mutts are one-of-a-kind. For more information about breeds, visit the specific breed's website. 

Shy or fearful

Be cautious about taking an animal that appears fearful or shy, even if the animal is more outgoing when taken to a private adoption area. The safest animal to select is one that is comfortable amidst the din of the kennel and in a quiet area. 

Obvious behavioral or physical issues 

Avoid taking an animal that has an obvious physical or behavioral problem. If you opt for a pet with a physical or behavioral deficit, make a phone call to your veterinarian or a behaviorist to make sure that the pet's problem is not insurmountable. 

Sympathy choices

There is a misconception that by taking a "less adoptable" pet; someone else will surely take the "more adoptable" pets. There are only so many adoptions that are going to take place, and there are far more pets than there are good homes in which to place them. If you take an animal that is unattractive, ill or older to save a life, there is a perfectly, healthy, attractive, well behaved pet that might be euthanized. 

See the rest of these great tips by visiting Pet Adoption Guidelines: Choosing a Pet on FamilyCorner.com