• The Adoption Process
• Am I ready for a pet?
• Which pet is right for me?
• How do I prepare my family and my home for our new pet?

Am I ready for a pet? 10 considerations

• Adopt a pet for the right reasons.
Is this a spur of the moment decision? Did you see a cute furry face in a store window? Is it because your children are hounding you for one? Or is it because you have decided that you want to share your life with a dog or cat companion?

• Consult your entire household.
Everyone that has to live with the pet should be in agreement about adopting it. If you are adopting it for your children, are you willing to care for the pet if the kids lose interest?

• Consider your lifestyle.
Do you travel a lot or work most of the day? Do you have young children or other pets that may not interact well with a new pet? Is an energetic puppy that needs to be housebroken, is prone to chewing everything, and in need of obedience training right for you?

• Evaluate living accommodations.
Many rental places do not allow pets or restrict what type of pet you can have. Do you anticipate a move in the near future?

• Not everyone can live with a pet.
Is anyone in your household allergic to pets? Or is anyone in the house afraid of pets?

• Time management.
Do you have time to train, socialize, and offer companionship to a pet? Do you have the time to feed, clean up after, groom, exercise, and play with your pet?

• Budget expenses for your pet.
Do you have the money to pay for food, toys, bowls, collars, cages, obedience lessons, kitty litter, and other such expenses? Do you have the money to pay for visits to the veterinarian and the proper vaccinations for your pet?

• Pets need room to roam.
Do you have the appropriate space for the type of pet you are considering? Are you looking to adopt a large, energetic dog to live in your studio apartment?

• Troubleshooting 101.
Are you prepared to deal with problems that may arise from pet ownership? Chewed or scratched furniture, fleas, accidents on the good carpet, and behavior problems can happen.

• Prepare for a lifetime commitment.
Are you prepared to make a commitment to a pet for its entire lifetime? They don't remain cute, adorable puppies and kittens forever. Are you prepared to make the commitment to be a responsible pet owner for the next 10 - 20 years (the average life span of many dogs and cats)?

If you have considered all of these questions and still feel this is the right time for you to adopt a pet, we can't wait to see you!

Our thanks to the Stray Rescue of St. Louis for their excellent article, 10 Considerations Prior to Adopting a Pet, excerpted here with modifications by a CHS volunteer.

Which pet is right for me?

• Dog or cat
Dogs take more daily time than cats. Dogs must be walked, taken to training classes (even older dogs can learn new tricks!), brushed and exercised daily. They are pack animals and thrive on your companionship, so if you work more than 8 or 9 hours a day or travel a lot, consider a cat.

Cats require less time but they still do require attention. Daily, cats need their litter box cleaned, interactive exercise, some require grooming, and all require some weekly, if not daily, lap time.

• Long hair or short hair
All pets belong indoors with their families. Both dogs and cats do much better mentally, emotionally, and physically if they are allowed indoors with their families during the day and night. Resolve to live with your pet, don't keep him or her as an "outsider!" Because of this, you will have hair in the house. Long haired pets must be brushed daily or require frequent trips to the groomers. Sure, they may feel luxurious under your hand and look very handsome, but look beyond that and imagine the amount of hair that will be left to decorate the house. Short hair is shorter, but don't be fooled into thinking short haired pets don't shed. Very few breeds of dogs or cats truly don't shed.

• Dog/cat or puppy/kitten
Kittens and puppies are adorable, but they can cause some real frustrations while growing up. Puppies must be thoroughly socialized to as many different people, places, things and noises as possible within the first five months of life. If canines are not socialized early enough in their lives, they become fearful, and most serious behavior problems stem from fear. Puppies must be taken to training classes at an early age (12 weeks) so they develop proper habits and get supervised play with their peers. Puppy training classes are tons of fun for you and for your puppy, and they are generally inexpensive, but you will need to devote a few hours once a week for 2-3 months for the class. Puppies must be housetrained and supervised 100% of the time until they are trustworthy adults.

Don't think you are off the hook with kittens either. Kittens also need to be socialized. They need plenty of playtime with you and with strangers as well. Kittens will scratch on the furniture, may taste-test every plant in the household and knock things off the counter, to name only a few problems. Kittens are easier to housetrain than most puppies but they also can have problems in this area, especially if you are not committed to keeping their litterbox clean and in a quiet, easily accessible location within your household.

Both puppies and kittens can be troublesome with chewing, scratching, and vocalizing. This is part of their developmental process. Be ready to commit extra time, patience and love to these youngsters. If your commitment to supervision, socialization and gentle, humane guidance and training is high, the payoff can be great. But just remember that your pet will be an adult for a far longer time than it is a cute, adorable youngster. If you don't like the adult version for some reason (too much hair, too aloof, too whatever), don't get a puppy or kitten just because it so cute now.

Adults generally housetrain quickly because they have the physical capacity to hold off elimination for longer periods. Adults two years and older have generally outgrown chewing and other destructive behavior. However, they also may come with existing behavior problems such as separation anxiety, scratching on furniture, spraying or escape behaviors. Temperament is harder to mold with adults. If the adult animal you are looking at is shy, chances are he or she will remain shy unless you enlist the help of a professional who can work with you on positive behavior modification.

• Costs
Think that cats may be cheaper than dogs? Think again. Indoor cats tend to live longer than most dogs therefore requiring litter (for their lifetime!), toys and scratching posts that will have to be replaced over the years. The initial money you invest in "cat equipment" during a cat adoption is generally less than dog equipment, but it does catch up in the long haul! Some other costs to think about:

• Groomers may be required at frequent intervals for some pets.
• Training for your new dog should be a very high on your priority list. Studies have shown that dogs who receive some type of formal training have relatively fewer behavior problems then their counterparts. Training also helps you and your new friend bond quickly. So set aside at least one hundred dollars for one 6 to 8 week course.
• Puppies housetrain faster and easier using the crate method (crates cost anywhere from $30.00 up depending on size). Adult dogs can benefit from crate training as well. Talk to dog trainers, friends and neighbors about the benefits of crate training.

• Selecting a breed
Is your household active and busy? Do you want a jogging companion or a couch potato? Do you like a take-charge kind of pet, or a precious daisy type? Each breed has different behavior tendencies; some of these tendencies may not match well with your lifestyle. Some examples: terriers love to bark and dig; huskies and malamutes have endless energy but don't do well in warm climates; siamese cats are tend to be more vocal and active than other breeds.

Check an online dog breed guide or the online cat breed guide for information about specific breeds and their needs or take a trip to the library or the CHS public library and research some possible breeds. Talk to breeders, go to cat or dog shows. Pick out two to three different breeds or mixed breeds that will fit your family lifestyle and needs.

• Children and pets
Some breeds of both dogs and cats are known to deal better with children than others. If you have children in your immediate family or children/grandchildren that visit often, be doubly cautious about picking the right animal for you. Most aggression in a family pet is directed at children. Adopt a breed of pet that is known to be tolerant, and, more importantly, look carefully at the individual animal's behavior. In turn, teach your children to handle your family pet gently and with respect. Any child 12 years or under needs to have 100% supervision when with the family pet.

• Color and cuteness
When you arrive at the shelter, put on your color and cuteness blinders, because those things have nothing to do with behavior. Most people can live with black or orange or white hairs, but few can live with dangerous behavior problems such as aggression. Look at more than one animal; don't fall in love with the very first one you get to interact with. Bring your children, spouse, roommate or anyone who is in the same household. If you have grandchildren, bring them to meet the prospective pet. Don't adopt an animal because it is so shy it won't come to you and you feel bad for it; these animals need a lot of help. Are you willing to commit the time needed to rehab an animal like this and do you have the financial ability to help them? Be honest with yourself and what you can handle in your household. Remember, a pet is for a lifetime, not just for a holiday or birthday, so choose wisely.

• Home requirements
Prior to purchasing a pet, it is important to look at your home to determine its suitability. Regardless of the type of pet, your property will require secure fences and gates. This is particularly important for dogs as it is against the law for them to leave the property without you. A general rule of thumb for dogs is the bigger they are, the more space they require. This does not mean that small dogs are less active, they simply need less room for activity.

Large active dogs in small spaces will require plenty of daily exercise. You should be prepared for the shedding of dog hair on furniture and floor coverings. Big dogs need room to move around and tails can knock things over.

Consideration must also be given to where you want a cat to live. Some cats are happy to live inside permanently, and indoor-only cats definitely live longer. You may wish your cat to live indoors and have access to outdoors in a controlled area. There are issues relating to exercise, health, safety and space which will need to be addressed.

Where you live is not an issue if you provide a secure, confined outdoor area for your cat. There are many ways of providing such environments that can be creative, interesting and safe for the cat. These areas can be costly to set up, however, there is no doubt that cats living in secured environments will live longer.

Statistically, cats that are confined have a life expectancy of 12 years while cats that are allowed to roam freely have a life expectancy of 3 years. Fighting, diseases such as feline AIDS and being hit by cars are major factors in shortening their lives.

• Time
It is absolutely crucial that your family makes a commitment to spend quality time with a pet. Just like children, all cats and dogs require daily companionship, affection and playtime - if they don't get it, behavior problems are likely to develop. Time is even more important when dealing with young animals. All young mammals require constant care in their early months. This strict time requirement must be taken into account when deciding to adopt a puppy or a kitten.

The content above was developed by a CHS volunteer with guidance from the Humane Society of the United States.

How do I prepare my family and my home for our new pet?

Congratulations and thanks, you have decided to adopt one of the millions of pets waiting for a home! The big concern now is how to get ready for your new arrival. Here are some tips to make the transition more enjoyable.

1. Get Your Home Ready
Pet proofing your home is important and can be life-saving. This includes making sure that there are no toxins such as rat poison, cleaning chemicals or antifreeze accessible to your new pet. Make sure trash is secure. If you have open trash cans on your floor, you should strongly consider replacing them with lidded trash cans. Pick up clothing and small toys or other objects that may be accidentally ingested by the new pet. The best way to ensure that your pet will not chew on your things is to keep them out of the pet's reach until the pet has learned to identify his or her own toys. This can take several months - until then, it's up to you to keep your things off the floor. Hide exposed electrical wires to prevent injury commonly caused by chewing on the cords. Ensure other dangers are stowed way such as medications, poisonous plants and ashtrays. Check your fencing -- is it secure? Are there any places your new pet could get through?

2. Get Your Supplies.
Make a list of things you need for your new pet. Bedding, food and water dishes, food (check what your pet has been eating to start with so that you can slowly transition your pet to their new food - this avoids diarrhea), treats, crate, safe toys, toothbrush and paste, leash, collar, grooming supplies, and any pet-specific cleaners.

3. Plan for the "What If."
Prepare your medicine cabinet for an emergency. Make a first aid kit. You never know when an emergency may happen. Items should include emergency veterinary phone numbers, tweezers, gloves, gauze, tape, thermometer, hydrogen peroxide, sterile eye wash, antiseptic and antibiotic ointment. Mediations that are beneficial to have on hand include diphenyhydramine (Benadryl®), hydrogen peroxide and aspirin. Only use medication as recommended by a veterinarian. Keep this emergency kit with your other emergency items.

4. Plan the Right Time.
Make sure you have time to spend with your pet when he first arrives at your home. Friday is often a good day to bring your pet home -- the two of you have the entire weekend to get to know each other.

5. Have a Family Discussion.
Discuss how the pet will be cared for, trained and develop general "House Rules." Care includes feeding, grooming, exercising and walking. When will this be done? Who will do it? Training is a very important issue to discuss as a family. The MOST important aspect of training is consistency. What are the house rules for your pet? It is best to decide as a group up front. Consider discussing the following questions: What and when is the pet fed? Where does he sleep? Does he get treats -- if so what? Will you go to dog school or training class with your pet?

6. Get Your Pet's History.
When you pick your new pet, obtain as much history as you can. This will be useful later if problems arise. Sometimes the shelter will not have all of this information - we will share with you the information we have. Ask questions that include:

•   How long has the pet been at the shelter?
•   Where did she/he come from?
•   Birthdate if known or approximate age.
•   How big were the parents and is anything known about them?
•   Has she/he had any vaccinations?
•   When is the next set of vaccines due?
•   Has she/he had any medical problems?
•   Is she/he on any medications?
•   Has she/he been tested for worms?
•   Has she/he been treated for worms?
•   Will another dose be needed?
•   Has she/he been tested for heartworms?
•   Is she/he on heartworm preventative?
•   Has she/he been microchipped? If so, get the paperwork so you can register her/him.
•   Has your pet had fleas or been treated for fleas?
•   Is there a mandatory vet check up within a certain time frame?
•   What has she/he been eating? You may want to ask for a sample or buy a bag of that food. Many pets get diarrhea from an abrupt change. There is enough changing in this pet's environment that it is worth avoiding a food change as well. Gradually mix in your diet of choice and "wean" the pet over to the new food after being adjusted to your home in a couple days.

7. Home.
Spend quality time with your pet. Make sure you place a leash and collar on her/him, and walk on leashes only, at least for a couple days. Don't let your pet run unrestricted. Notice appetite, urinations, and bowel movement for abnormalities. Call your veterinarian if you have concerns.

8. Pet Introductions.
Slowly and carefully introduce the new arrival to your other pets. Let them smell each other under the door. Gradually, let them see each other from the door crack and eventually let them meet. Do this supervised. Be sure to make your other pets feel as important and loved as the new arrival.

9. See Your Veterinarian.
Follow-up within the next week for a check up and anything else your pet needs. Heartworm prevention is generally recommended year round. Ensure that your pet is tested and place your pet on a monthly preventative. Some new monthly heartworm mediations are combined with preventive flea medications. Follow-up with any needed vaccines and deworming.

10. Train, Train, Train.
Dogs especially like to learn and understand what is expected of them. You may not want a pet that can do tricks but at the minimum training to "come," "leave it," and "stay" has saved many lives. Sign up for classes!

Our thanks to PetPlace.com for their excellent article Your Guide to Pet Adoption, excerpted here with modifications by a CHS volunteer.