Animals are adorable, precious, and can be great companions, but they also take a lot of time and effort to take care of. Many people want a pet, like a cat or a dog, but often end up having to return it because they don't have enough resources to care for it properly, this is often why you see so many stray animals on the street or in shelters because people simply can't take care of animals. So if you want a pet, make sure to consider these 4 qualifications to see if you have the resources to care for a pet.

1. How often do you travel?

A reason many big celebrities don't have pets is because of how much they travel. Animals cannot be left alone for elongated periods of time, and boarding shelters can be extremely expensive, so if you travel a lot for work, or even just for fun, it's probably best not to get a pet. And even though many people believe they can board their small dogs by getting a license, traveling with animals is actually not safe for the pet, as it can really stress them out. So if you travel, getting a pet is definitely not a good idea.

2. How much money are you willing to spend per month on an animal?

Animals are no cheap one-off Christmas present, they cost a lot of money, and some people just don't have the budget for that. On average, the cost of a cat or dog is approximately $60 per month, which is just the basics! So just like traveling, if you are short on cash, wait until you have the budget to afford a pet.

3. Do you have the space to own an animal?

Though some apartments or buildings are beginning to allow pets now, many of them don't! So before adopting an animal be sure to check with the owner of your complex, especially if you're renting. And if you are owning a house, make sure you have enough space for an animal!

4. Do you have enough time to properly care for an animal?

Pets are like children, they need to be taken care of all the time, which means they need an owner who is able to allocate that time for them. This is similar to the traveling dilemma if you work a job that has long hours, like a nine to five, a pet like a puppy that needs constant care is definitely not the way to go, instead opt for a more independent pet, like a cat. But even then, if you simply don;t have free time, it isn't wise to own a pet.

I hope these requirements helped you decide if you were qualified or not to have a pet, rmemebr it is a very bad idea to adopt an animal without considering your resources, and never give a pet to someone as a gift. After all, there are enough abandonned animals in the world already.