Animals: Large and Small

Are you an animal lover? Do you want to get a new pet but you're not sure if you should be adding to your household right now? It can be hard to judge whether now is the right time to be getting a new furry friend or if you should be putting your desires aside for now. Instead of a blanket yes or no, it's important to think things over before making a careful choice. Some of the things that should be taken into consideration before you decide to adopt a new pet are as follows:

Cost of care: Owning a pet is about more than just providing him or her with food and water. They will also need toys, may damage items that will need to be replaced, and will need to visit the veterinarian to ensure that they are healthy. Not everyone can afford the expenses associated with responsible pet ownership. If you wouldn't be able to afford even an extra few hundred dollars in vet bills right now, you might want to step back until you've set aside enough money to provide a comfortable cushion in the event of any emergency expenses that might arise. 

Carers: Not only do you have to consider taking your pet to the veterinarian if he or she becomes sick, but you also have to think about what might happen if you were to become sick or injured. Do you have someone who would be able to look after your pet until you recuperated? You'll either need to have reliable friends or family to look after your pet or you'll need to pay for someone to provide care until you've recovered enough that you'll be able to resume those duties yourself. The same holds true if you feel like going away for the weekend but can't take your pet; someone will have to watch him or her until you get back. 

Borrowing/fostering: If you're not sure right now whether you can take on the added responsibility of a full-time pet at this point in time, borrowing or fostering can be a great way to test yourself. Shelters and rescues are always looking for people to provide foster homes for dogs and cats to free up space within the shelter or rescue itself. They will typically provide food and veterinarian care; all you need to do is provide the love and the space that these fosters need. If you are unable to sign up for any of these programs in your area, consider asking a friend or family member if you can watch one of their pets for a period of time to gain more experience. 

To learn more about what care your pet will need (such as vaccines, spaying or neutering, or general care), contact a local veterinarian.