Getting a new pet is a thrilling prospect that almost always gets people extremely excited. The idea of introducing a new dog, cat, bird, ferret, guinea pig, or any other companion animal into your home probably makes you want to jump with joy! I know that I definitely would be ecstatic if I was able to adopt or rescue any species of animal and give them a place in my home and family. The problem with this rush into getting a pet is that many people do not stop to think before they take an animal into their home. There are a variety of factors that should be considered before getting any type of pet, including the age of the pet, the amount of care it requires, the number of people in a household, the capabilities of people in the household, climate, environment, and much more. Many people get so caught up in the initial thrill of owning a pet that they ignore the fact that they might not have the time or resources to care for it.

For example, one of my family friends recently entered her freshman year of medical school about six hours away from her family, and she got an off campus apartment. She wanted a dog, so she decided to get a puppy only a week after she moved in. She didn't evaluate the fact that she was a medical student and that raising a puppy takes a lot of time and commitment, which she was not able to give because she was busy with work and school. She had to give the puppy away after a month or so because she was not able to care for it. A smarter alternative would have been to maybe adopt an older dog, which does not need as much constant attention as a puppy. She could also have chosen to get a fish, a turtle, or some other low maintenance pet that would keep her company. My family friend is a prime example of why it's necessary to be careful when getting a pet and to carefully consider everything before diving headfirst into selection. To exemplify, an elderly couple might not be the best suited caretakers of a newborn puppy because they might not be able to keep up with all of it needs.

There's nothing wrong with wanting a pet, but it requires responsibility and commitment. I would suggest researching before getting any pet rather than playing it by ear. Research could include conversing with friends or acquaintances who have an animal that you think you want and getting their perspective on what it takes to raise such an animal as a pet. You could also ask a veterinarian or animal professional; they have a lot of useful information that they could give you. A couple of things to keep in mind are how big the animal is, how much hair it sheds, how much it needs to be fed, the ideal climate it thrives in, how much space it needs, how much it costs to take it to the veterinarian, how well it gets along with other pets you have or other members of your family, etc. It isn't fair to your pets to take them in without knowing how much time and which resources you need to commit to them. Neglecting an animal is something you never want to do, so it's a good idea to think about what getting a pet involves before you actually take it into your home. Don't be discouraged from adopting or rescuing animals either! As long as you've put thought into your decision to take a pet into your home and you're committed to caring for it properly, you're on the right track!