Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • December 25, 2013 How to decide if a pet is right for your home Nearly half of all households in the United States and Canada have a pet. Some- times, a pet can be just what a family needs; other times, families discover their house- holds simply do not make an ideal place for a pet. Pets end up in shelters for a number of reasons -- most through no fault of their own. Moving is the primary reason family pets are relinquished, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy. Other top reasons include the cost of pets, animals given as gifts, lack of time to care for the animal, or an animal that grew larger than expected. One way to avoid this scenario is to accurately assess if a pet is right for the home. Prospective pet owners who carefully analyze the pros and cons of pet owner- ship are more likely to keep their pet for the long haul. Certain animals require more care than others, and knowing about this can prevent the heartache of having to give away a pet. Here are a few questions to answer: What type of pet is being considered? A horse has different needs than a ham- ster. Learning about what each pet requires can narrow down the choices. For example, horse ownership may be out of the ques- tion for apartment dwellers, unless they can afford to rent a stall at a nearby stable. If a landlord does not allow a dog, but accepts a cat, that further narrows the options. Pro- spective pet owners should also consider whether they want a pet that will be affec- tionate, or one that will just be fun to watch and low-maintenance. Why is a pet being considered? Some people get pets for misguided reasons, such as it’s the thing all their friends are doing, or it’s trendy. Others get pets to replace a pet lost to illness or old age, or simply because they desire companionship. Be sure the rea- sons for getting a pet are the right ones: A positive outcome will be more likely. Is the prospective pet owner aware of the associated responsibilities? Getting a pet is not like getting another piece or furniture or the latest gaming system. This will be a new member of the family that will impact all the other members living in the house. They need to be involved in the decision. Depending on the pet, there will need to be daily care, such as providing food, chang- ing litter boxes, taking the pet for walks, and providing affection. If you have a busy schedule that keeps you away from home for much of the day, a higher-maintenance pet, like a dog, may not be the best idea. It won’t be fair to the animal or the people. Perhaps a bird or small companion animal would be a better choice. Is the prospective pet owner finan- cially capable of having a pet? Just like having a child or another dependant, pets cost money. Those who are facing a money crunch may be better off waiting to adopt a pet. Expenses include food, veterinarian visits, gear, cages, and grooming. What is home life like? If a family is especially boisterous, or their house is on the small side, certain pets will automati- cally be eliminated from the discussion. Many animals are skittish around crowds (continued on page 8)