Think before you adopt a pet

Falling in love with a cute puppy or kitten is easy to do. These wonderful animals are loyal and provide us with unconditional love. However, adopting a pet is a big step and should be thoughtfully considered. Animals can live anywhere from 14 to 20 years or more. This can be a huge commitment of time and money.

Before you adopt a pet, please consider the following:

• Why do you want to add a pet to your family? This may seem like a simple question, but it is often overlooked before adopting a pet. Impulse adoptions often result in a family that is not necessarily ready for the addition of an animal. Getting a pet as a gift for a young child and expecting that he/she will be solely responsible for the care of that animal is not a wise choice.

• Do you have enough time to devote to a pet? Pets require a great deal of your time (food, water, exercise, training, care and companionship). Animal shelters are filled with pets that have been abandoned because the people who adopted them misjudged the amount of time that should be devoted to the animal.

• Are you able to afford the care of a pet? Caring for a pet can be quite expensive — veterinary care, spaying/neutering, food, training, etc.

• Is this the best time for you to adopt a pet? If you have very young children, are going to school or taking classes, move a lot or are in the middle of a divorce, it may not be the best time for adopting an animal friend.

• Are you able to have a pet where you live? Make sure you are aware of any restrictions your landlord might have before you adopt.

• Are you ready to deal with some of the special problems a pet can cause? Pet ownership can involve damage to furniture or other household items, behavioral problems, housetraining accidents and more.

• Is your whole family on board with the decision to adopt? If your partner hates animals, you may want to reconsider adopting (or reconsider your partner).

• Are you prepared to keep this animal for the rest of his/her life? If not, don’t adopt.

If you can answer these questions with the animal’s best interest at heart, then you are ready to undertake one of the most wonderful experiences — sharing your life with an animal companion.

If not, wait for a better time or don’t adopt at all. Shelters are filled with animals that have been discarded by people who have not taken the decision to adopt seriously. Please, don’t be one of those people.

Angie Lewis is vice president for Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue.