The Most Important Things to Know When Adopting a Pet

According to GreenUpandGo.com, the average dog produces 1.75 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, while a cat produces almost half a tonne each year.

If you want to have more pets at home, you might want to forego on having new puppies and kittens. Instead, you can adopt a pet and help reduce the carbon emissions from the additional animals. You would also help in keeping the animal population down, and save a dog or cat from nasty and unhealthy environments, or certain death! Adopting a pet also saves you the cost of purchasing one.

Where to find a pet to adopt? Friends whose pets have just given birth to a new litter of kittens or puppies might want to give them away. Ask around. You can also check out the local animal shelter and humane society for stray dogs and cats that might need a home. You can also find Web sites that can help you find pets that match your preferences.

One visit to an animal shelter, however, would let you find out that there is no shortage of animals to adopt. The problem lies more in choosing the perfect pet for you. Be sure to talk to the animal shelter people or the humane society personnel. They are in a better position to tell you about the animals' temperament and personality. They would also be able to help you narrow down your choices to your specified preferences.

Do not be in a hurry to adopt a pet. For some people, it takes several trips to the shelter before they find the perfect pet. Be sure to interact with a lot of potential pets and see which one you like best.

Different shelters have different processes for adoption, but most provide a matching service. You write down what kind of pet you want, its personality, even its breed. Or you can "shop around" and identify which animals you are interested in. You will be given the chance to interact with the animals you are interested in so you could decide.

Most shelters also screen potential adopters too. They check your house to see if you have adequate provisions and safeguards, especially if you intend to get a dog with a history of running away. They would also conduct a background check to see if you have any history of cruelty complaints or animal control complaints.

Getting a pet, whether you are adopting it, buying it, or receiving it as a gift, is a long-term commitment. This involves a lot of investment on your part, including caring for its health, bringing it up, providing for it, feeding it, and even providing medical care for it. Take time in deciding which one you want to make sure that you find the best companion you could get and that you would not lose interest in the long run.

Michael Gabriel L. Sumastre is a true animal lover. He loves to play with his dog and is thinking of getting a new cat. He is the freelance writer of AnimalStars.com, a luxury online pet store that specializes in dog and cat collars, pet ID tags, pet birthstones, pet bells, latest pet accessories, cool pet clothes, colorful pet jewelries, and pet health.