The most important investment you can make in your new pet is time spent before you get the animal. Take the time to look at your situation and make some decisions before you begin searching for a new pet. Window shopping is the worst possible way to choose a new companion.

How much room do you have to house the animal? Great Danes make excellent house pets, but would you care to live with one in an efficiency apartment? Beginning in March of each year, shelters across the country begin getting "Christmas" puppies turned in by their owners. One of the most common excuses is, "I didn't know he was going to get this big. My complex only allows pets under thirty pounds." Puppies are adorable in the cage, but the puppy you can hold in your hands today could weigh fifty pounds in just four months. Decide on maximum ADULT body weight and size before you choose a puppy. If size is a major issue, you may want to consider a cat or pocket pet.

How much are you willing to spend? Your initial outlay, either adoption or purchase price, is just the beginning. To keep your animal healthy, veterinary care costs averages about $300 the first year you own a dog or cat. This includes vaccinations, worming, and other preventatives required each year of the animal's life. Additional costs can be incurred if the animal requires additional medical care. Initial outlay for equipment to care for the animal, food/water bowls, collar/leashes, brushes, shampoos, etc., is another expense. Animal food comes in a wide range of quality. Fifty pounds of dog food can cost between ten and forty dollars per bag. Designer cat food can be even more expensive. You will buy toys and treats, won't you? Pet toys and treats have become a major industry. Beepers, buzzers, squeakers, chewies, and designer cookies are available in a wide range of prices. The sky is the limit.

How much time do you have to spend with the animal in daily care, exercise, training, and play time? Look at your lifestyle. If you work twenty hours a day and have an active night life, you might want to consider getting a stuffed animal, a fish tank, or a pet rock. ALL pets require DAILY care. Animals must be fed and watered and cages cleaned daily. Pets can be placed on a regular potty schedule, but when you gotta go, you gotta go. Expect 3 a.m. potty walks.

Unless you are going to use professional services, be prepared to groom your animal yourself. All dogs and cats require brushing to maintain their coat tangle free. Periodic bathing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning are required to maintain a healthy pet.

Pets require exercise. Like children, they need outside play time to grow and develop properly. If you don't find ways to burn off their excess energy, THEY WILL!. Cats love to chase a flashlight beam. Dogs love to chase frisbees, balls, sticks, or go jogging and chase the owner. A high energy animal does not belong with a low energy owner. Border Collies don't belong with an 80 year old sedate parent and a dog that lays around like a bear skin rug is not a good pet for an active adult. Are you active or a couch potato? Find an animal that matches your activity level.

As a local dog training facility so aptly puts it, well behaved dogs are made, not born. Dogs require training in order to be good companions. Classes are available as well as do-it-yourself books. Left to themselves, dogs invent their own games. Newspapers and shoes make excellent play toys. So do sofa cushions and clothing. "Lets play eat the carpet, tear the wall paper, and rip down the curtains." Did you know that table legs make excellent chew sticks? Lets hope it wasn't your great grandma's. If you are not willing to train a puppy, consider an older animal.

If you are thinking of adopting a puppy, how much time do you have for housetraining? Remember, when you have a baby, you have a BABY. A puppy does not have the bladder or bowel control to wait all day inside the house. Expect to clean up when you get home. Humans have diapers, puppies don't.

No matter what you've always heard, cats require care too. Litter boxes do not empty themselves. While cats are considered low maintenance and require less care than dogs, they can and will develop behavior problems if isolated with no animal or human contact.

Planning on getting married, having children, or moving in the next fifteen years? What will you do with your pet when you have major lifestyle changes? Does a pet really fit into your plans? Think about it and plan ahead!

Dog, cat, ferret or fish, long coat, short coat, large or small, adult or baby? After you have made these important decisions, where can you find the pet that best suits your lifestyle? Check your local shelters first. There are animal control and humane societies in almost every city and county throughout America. In Georgia, rescue groups are private one breed/species, State licensed humane organizations existing for almost every animal imaginable. Other sources may be found through local dog and cat clubs.

It may take a while to find the right animal but be patient! Acquiring a pet is not an afternoon outing. You could be living with this animal for the next 10 to 15 years. Don't let some over eager attendant talk you into changing your mind. If you are not happy with the pet you have chosen, what will you do? Will you live with the pet anyway, or join the ranks of owners who give up the animal to your local Animal Control because "he's too big, she barks too loud, it sheds, or she jumps on people." Think before you act!


Ultimate Resource Guide to Dogs