Lately, there have been a concerning amount of animal cruelty videos circulating social media sites. Just the other day a friend of mine was forced to call animal control after spotting a dog that was too skinny, with no clear owner nearby. Neighbors have stated that this dog has been let loose before. Animals that are adopted need to be provided with a safe home and caring owner.

Personally, I've just adopted a kitten and I could not imagine leaving him outside in the cold. I would do anything for him. He has in a way, become a child, a permanent family member whom cannot be replaced. All animals deserve this treatment. They deserve to become an irreplaceable part of the family, and sometimes people are not ready for all of the love and attention newly adopted animals really do need. Before adopting an animal consider the following:

1. Finances

The first thing to consider when adopting an animal is whether or not you are financially able to take care of the animal. It is easy to just go out and purchase an animal, but are you prepared to pay for everything that animal needs? Larger animals tend to need toys, a good amount of food, and must regularly see a vet. Smaller animals often need cages or tanks. They need scenery, often a ground that must be changed, a small bed, water, and food. Before you purchase the animal try to calculate how much that animal would cost annually and decide whether or not you are able to make that commitment.

2. Availability

An animal, especially birds, cats, and dogs, needs a lot of attention. They love to play and cuddle with their adopted family. If you are going to be gone all day long, maybe look more into getting a fish than say a dog. Larger animals need to release energy, they need to get out and socialize, to meet their adopted family.

3. Newly Adopted Pets Are Generally Nervous

If you do decide to adopt a pet realize that he/she may not be comfortable right away. Your home is a new environment, different from the shelter, or shop from which you received the animal. For this reason, it may take a day or sometimes closer to a week for an animal to settle. At first, you may notice that your pet is hiding, backed into a corner, or will not come out from their cage. This is normal. Keep trying to connect with your pet. They do not need to be returned to a shelter after one day, they will eventually recognize your home as their own.

4. Consistency

Your pet needs you to be the same loving affectionate owner you were the first day you brought him/her home. They need to be on a set schedule for food and sleep, just like any child would. Every day your pet needs play time, time to socialize and to connect, and they need time to wind down and rest. If you know you cannot be consistent with your animal, you may rethink before purchasing it.

5.Love

Love is the most important thing to give your animal. Once you fall in love with your pet the prior list will seem natural and obvious to you. Try to make the connection with your animal in an adoption center at the pet store or shelter. Animals know whether or not they are being properly cared for. Animals can become depressed and lonely; those feelings are not solely human feelings. Before adopting ensure that love for the animal will be provided so that he/she is happy and healthy while living in your home. The bond created through the love you give and the love reciprocated by your animal can be like no other. It is a fulfilling emotion, which constructs the purest happiness.

So please when you think about adopting an animal, recognize it as a permanent adoption. Your pet does not deserve to be adopted and then let loose with nobody to care for it because you were not prepared for the commitment. If you absolutely find yourself in over your head and feel you cannot manage your animal, return it to a human rescue shelter, where it will not be killed or harmed. Given that sometimes extenuating circumstances leave people unable to care for their pets I understand the moving of a pet to a humane shelter, but you as an owner should do your best to never let that happen. Your pet will trust you, depend on you, form a bond with you, and love you entirely. You will be your pets’ entire world. Before adopting an animal make sure that they too, will be your entire world.