Deciding to adopt a pet, whether it be a cat, dog, rabbit, lizard, etc. - requires time, dedication, money, and responsibility. It's disheartening to see how many people give up or abandon their pets because they can't handle the time, responsibility or costs. It's frustrating to see how many people don't take the time to spay/neuter, license or get their pets up to date on their immunizations. If you have a dog or a cat, it's also important to train and socialize them.

Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment; a pet is not an accessory or something that can just be thrown away. A pet is a living creature with wants, needs, and feelings.

I can tell you that owning a pet is not always easy, especially if you have four of them like I do and one or more of them have behavioral issues and need training. For instance, my boyfriend and I adopted a puppy we named Odin in June.

When we first got Odin, we knew we had to train him and break him of some unacceptable behaviors, such as chewing and destroying our possessions, going to the bathroom in the house, taking food out of our hands and taking food and toys from our older dog Bud. Odin is now more than a year old, but we are still working on breaking him of some bad behaviors, such as jumping the fence in our backyard, running from us (thankfully he comes back, but we are not pleased with his choice) and continuing to chew our possessions.

We had to put our shoes in our bedroom and make sure items that he can chew are out of his reach. I love him dearly, but catching him chewing one of my boots or chasing after him down the street can be frustrating and tiring. We've also spent the money to get him neutered, chipped, licensed and up to date on his immunizations. It's not cheap.

Here is a photo of the aforementioned Odin and our youngest cat, Ares:

According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, here are the six pillars of responsible pet ownership:

1. Commit

Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.

Select a pet that's suited to your home and lifestyle

Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.

Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).

Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.

Properly socialize and train your pet.

2. Invest

Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.

Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite control, etc.), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.

Budget for potential emergencies.

3. Obey

Clean up after your pet.

Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.

Don't allow your pet to stray or become feral.

4. Identify

Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up-to-date.

5. Limit

-Don't contribute to our nation's pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet's reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.

6. Prepare

Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.

Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.

Recognize any decline in your pet's quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to remember these six pillars of pet ownership and follow them. I am a member of several lost/found pet groups on Facebook and I become so upset with owners who clearly didn't take the time to spay/neuter their pets and then become angry when they run off looking for a mate.

It is also frustrating to see how many people didn't take the time to license or immunize their pet; for instance, if your dog is not licensed or up to date on shots and runs away and gets picked up by your local humane society, you will be paying more than $100 in fees to get them out It is state law (at least in Michigan) and animal shelters must follow the law.

If you know that you can't properly care for, spend time with, or train a pet, then you should consider waiting to adopt until you have the time, means and money to dedicate to a pet. If you're in college and live in a dorm or apartment complex that doesn't allow pets - do not adopt a pet.

Don't be irresponsible and risk having to re-home to your pet because your living situation isn't suitable for an animal. I didn't have my cat Olivia until I started graduate school because I knew I didn't have the right place, the time or the money to care for a pet while I was an undergraduate student.

Here is a photo of Olivia:

Having a pet is so rewarding and it's good for your health too: According to WebMD, having a pet can help lower blood pressure, lessen anxiety and boost immunity. I can't imagine life without my four-legged family members, but I'm also aware of the responsibilities, time and cost that comes with owning them too.

Remember, owning a pet is a privilege and lifetime commitment. A pet is not for a few days, a few months or a few years; a pet is forever.