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Choosing the Right Companion
Are You Thinking of Adopting an Animal? Are You Ready?
The animal you are preparing to adopt will love you unconditionally. It will welcome you with joy every day, it will never judge you, it will keep you company, without asking for anything more than your love in return.
Seeing as your companion will ask you little in return, it is nonetheless a living being endowed with feelings similar to humans. They have physiological and psychological needs, which you will need to accept and cater to. Understanding the factors implicated in the adoption of an animal allows you to make a decision which you have reflected upon, in order to avoid any mistakes that could lead to an unhappy ending.
Every year, hundreds of millions of animals are euthanized in shelters and veterinary clinics because owners were not able to handle the responsibility. Carefully reflecting on your decision before adopting is the best guarantee that you and your animal will have a memorable experience together that will be filled with joy.
Here is a list of questions to guide you in your decision:
Am I Ready to Adopt an Animal?
- Are you ready to make a long-term commitment?
- Do you live alone? Do you live with a partner? Do you have children?
- Are you ready to modify your way of life?
- Do you live in an apartment or a house?
- Do you rent or own your house?
- Are you ready to accept that there will be slight damage to your property?
- Do you suffer from allergies?
- Are you financially prepared to take care of an animal?
- Do you know any reliable people to take care of your animal during your vacations?
- Can you spend quality time with your companion?
- Cat or Dog?
- Other Pets
- Choosing between a pure or cross-bred dog
- Choosing between a puppy or a full-grown dog
- Choosing a cat or a kitten
- Male or female?
- Choosing a Pure-Bred or Domestic Cat
- Do you have any other animals in your home?
- Do You Live in the Proper Environment?
- Do you have the means to care for your cat?
- Do you have the time to take care of your cat?
1. Are you ready to make a long-term commitment?
In our disposable society, it becomes hard for us to think in the long term. In this day and age, with the quality of care that animals can receive, their longevity has increased considerably. Cats and dogs can now live anywhere from 10 to 20 years, varying with the individual and the breed.
If you adopt an animal, be prepared to keep your new best friend for a long time, and think about what your situation will be in ten years. Shelters are full of animals abandoned by owners who have changed houses and couldn’t bring their animal along, and still more whose new partner did not welcome the animal.
2. Do you live alone? Do you live with a partner? Do you have children?
Whether you live alone or with your partner, with or without children, the decision to adopt an animal concerns the whole family, and in most cases, the whole family is concerned. Discuss in depth with your family the situation and its consequences before making a decision.
If you choose to adopt an animal for your child, be ready to take care of it yourself. We all know that a child’s promises are fleeting, and very soon after an adoption, the parents will be the ones taking care of the new member of the family. Avoid situations that result in threatening your child with giving away the animal if they are not taking proper care of it. This type of disciplinary action sends an extremely negative message to your child concerning the value of bringing an animal into the home.
3. Are you ready to modify your way of life?
Whether your new companion is a cat, a dog, or any other creature, its presence in your life requires you to modify a large part of your lifestyle. In the new millennium, in an era where individualism practically constitutes the cultural base of our society, some people may have difficulty adjusting their lifestyle to be able to provide the essential care an animal needs. No animal exists which requires neither care nor attention. If you are not ready to adapt your lifestyle to the responsibilities associated with the possession of an animal, adoption may not be for you.
4. Do you live in an apartment or a house?
Every animal has different needs concerning physical space. Cats, for example, are much more comfortable in a confined space and with passing time inside. Dogs usually need more space, and require regular daily exercise. If you are considering adopting a dog, get informed on the breed’s specific needs concerning space and exercise. However, some types of dog are equally comfortable in smaller, confined spaces.
5. Do you rent or own your house?
As incredible as it may sound, some people forget to ask their landlord if they have the permission to keep animals on the property. Talk with your landlord before you adopt to make sure you have the right to keep an animal in your home.
Take note, however, that the regulation "Animals Prohibited," when used by a landlord can be considered discriminatory. In the same way that someone could not dictate the colour of carpet you use in your living room, or the type of friends you choose to welcome into your home, someone could not tell you that you do not have the right to own a pet. On the other hand, owning an animal is not an absolute right, but a privilege given on two conditions. One, "that it does not cause any serious injury to the lessee," such as property damage, and two, "that it does not interrupt the regular activities of the other lessees," (for example, a dog who barks which disturbs the neighbours).
6. Are you ready to accept that there will be slight damage to your property?
Hold on! Have you forgotten that you own leather furniture that means more to you than anything else in the world? In this situation, do not, under any circumstances, adopt an animal.
Cat or dog, you will be adopting a living creature with needs and who acts upon its instinctive reflexes. Despite all the precautions you take, you will fall victim to what we call "overprotective consumerism," and become very, very protective of your material goods. Imagine your house invaded by fur, by balls of regurgitated fur. Imagine the accidents your pet will make all over your beautiful new sofas and carpets, your furniture scratched, and your gorgeous new outfit, which cost you six months pay, with all of its thread unravelled! Imagine your wood floors, of which you are so proud, decorated with Puppy’s latest creation after eating his third remote of the year. Imagine your priceless heirlooms in thousands of pieces, your window screens torn to shreds, and the inevitable odours that betray the presence of your new Kitty or Puppy.
7. Do you suffer from allergies?
Many people will adopt an animal without realizing that a member of their family could be allergic. To avoid this situation, for the family as well as the animal, especially to avoid having to return the latter, take measures to verify the presence, or lack thereof, of allergies. One option is to become a foster home for a local shelter. Shelters often need families to care for an animal during a recovery period, time it needs to grow, or to fight off an illness. This program lets you be in close contact with the animal without needing to make a long-term commitment.
Another method to test for allergies is to offer to take care of a friend or relative’s animal during their absence. Not only with you being doing them a favour, you will also be able to measure your tolerance to animals.
8. Are you financially prepared to take care of an animal?
The initial adoption fee is only a portion of the expenses that you must be prepared for when adopting an animal. Food, litter, other accessories, veterinary costs, and care-taking fees are all among the costs that you must foresee.
Many people become hesitant about spending between $600 and $1000 for a pure-bred animal from a professional and registered breeder, because they know they cannot afford it. Instead, they turn to the "bottom of the bucket" breeders, or worse, puppy mills, and pay between $100 and $300. This, unfortunately, is a monumental error. The price of acquiring a pure-bred animal does not even measure up to a fraction of the cost it takes to care for an animal bred in unfavourable conditions. There are often strong chances that the animal will suffer from serious hip dysplasia, allergies, and other genetic traits that can result in veterinary bills in the thousands of dollars. Above all, the feelings of deception and frustration make this situation even more difficult.
If you don’t have the means to spend the large amount required for a pure-bred animal, adoption from a shelter is an excellent alternative. The majority of animals in shelters are crossbred. They are generally more intelligent, free of genetic abnormalities, and have stronger immune systems. Not only are the costs of adoption less than the costs of buying a pure-bred animal, but the annual costs will be consistently lower. But is always important to recognize that an animal’s unconditional love is always free, no matter what the breed.
9. Do you know any reliable people to take care of your animal during your vacations?
Before adopting, arrange to have a person who is available to take care of your companion, or plan a budget for a kennel in which to put your animal while on vacation. Take note that many animals are lost by people who are caring for them temporarily. Take the time to choose carefully.
The majority of veterinary clinics offer a kennel service. There are also many excellent privately owned kennels, which vary in price per day. At the same time, be careful not to sacrifice quality for price. Educate yourself on the kennel and make a complete inspection of the premises before trusting them with your animal.
10. Can you spend quality time with your companion?
Animals, just like humans, can become lonely. An animal that becomes lonely can show signs of depression and develop behavioural problems. Animals love being spoken to; they adore playing, running and feeling loved. The more your animal is mentally stimulated, the more it will be balanced, and the more you will enjoy living in its company and will benefit from the strong connection built between the two of you.
11. Cat or Dog?
Some people are naturally drawn towards cats, and others towards dogs. Other people have no real preference, and hesitate to choose one over the other.
If you are having trouble deciding between a cat or a dog, consider above all its quality of life. Dogs are very sociable animals, and have a very hard time adapting to solitude. Also, the majority of dogs need daily exercise, while a cat is a more solitary animal, and adapts easily to confined spaces and life indoors.
Despite the differences between cats and dogs, both make excellent companions ready to give you their unconditional love.
12. Other Pets
Pet stores make large variety of creatures big and small available to the general public as pets. Whether they are birds, rodents, reptiles or fish, inform yourself about the animal’s needs before bringing it home. Most of these animals will need a specific environment to survive (which requires the purchase of certain equipment), daily care (maintenance of the cage or habitat) and special, often expensive food. Above all, these animals are sold at a very young age, without taking into account their adult size. Before acquiring one, ask someone responsible who can educate you on the needs of the animal, or look it up on the Internet, which has plenty of information on any creature you can imagine.
Choosing Your Dog
13. Choosing between a pure or cross-bred dog
Pure-bred Dogs
When people think about dogs, many think of a breed in particular, some for aesthetic reasons, and others for characteristic reasons. No matter what these reasons are, it is important to get informed on the particular attributes of each breed before making your final decision. For example, if you want to take your dog running, consider a more energetic breed, with longer legs, such as a Husky or a Doberman. Even though breeds like the Basset Hound love to run as much as you, breeds with shorter legs will generally tire faster than others.
For hundreds of thousands of years, man has kept canines as companions; from taking a wild beast and integrating it into our way of life, to making them a necessary partner in the survival of the two species. In many places across the globe, some of these original breeds, in all their different shapes and forms, have become celebrated for being able to accomplish different feats. It has been only in the last hundred years that dogs’ roles have changed from man’s helper to simply man’s companion.
Some breeds display extraordinary characteristics and have been meticulously selected for special tasks in the past. Perhaps the sedentary life you may be considering for your new companion won’t suit certain breeds. For example, consider the adorable Jack Russell Terrier, small, yet incredibly energetic.
For people who suffer from respiratory problems, breeds of dog that do not shed their hair are highly recommended. The Poodle, the Schnauzer and the Bouvier are excellent examples of this type of dog.
In the majority of situations, a smaller dog fares better in confined spaces, whereas a larger dog requires large amounts of space and exercise. However, some breeds are exceptions to that rule, like the enormous Great Dane, which is comfortable in smaller spaces and only requires moderate exercise. On the other hand, the Jack Russell, despite its small size, is an energetic terrier, which needs greater amounts of exercise than most small dogs.
Financially, the greater the size of a dog, the more it will cost for its food and veterinary care.
If you decide that a pure-bred dog is right for you, the risk of confronting health and behavioural problems in your new companion becomes higher. The more popular or rare a breed is, the greater the risk of hereditary health problems in each individual animal rises, problems which can end up being very expensive. Consequently, before deciding on a pure-bred dog, speak to a veterinarian about the various illnesses that are associated with the breeds that interest you, and choose a quality certified breeder.
Mixed-Breed Dogs
Mixed-breed dogs are dogs whose parents were of different breeds, or whose parents where mixed-breed. These dogs show physical traits of two or more breeds. They have stronger immune systems in comparison to purebred dogs, and are incredibly intelligent and affectionate.
Keeping in mind that it is not out of the ordinary to pay up to $3,000 for a pure bred dog, or for a certain lineage of dog, this factor may be the difference between having a dog or not. Shelters are overflowing with crossbred dogs, and the adoption fees are very affordable. Keep equally in mind that a child who gets their first dog cares nothing of its colour, size, length of its fur, or the price paid; the child cares only about the animal that it loves already.
14. Choosing between a puppy or a full-grown dog
For some people, choosing a puppy as their first dog could turn out to be a very unfortunate decision, as it is very difficult to predict their adult personality. Just as a part of a puppy’s temperament is determined hereditarily, the rest is determined by the education and treatment it receives at a young age. Adopting a puppy means you must be committed to spending many hours on its education, cleaning, daily walk, and all of its other basic needs.
On top of this, puppies pass through different phases of growth, up until approximately the age of two. During this period, they will need to eat most of your shoes, break almost everything they see, be taken frequently to the vet for vaccinations, have their deworming treatments if necessary, and be spayed or neutered. For some, these will be some of the best days they will have with their dog, but for others, this period can be very unpleasant due to all those unforeseen problems. Many dogs that are bought at a young age are returned to shelters within the age of six months to two years.
In the end, if you choose a puppy, always find out beforehand what its full adult size will be. Dogs grow very quickly, and the adorable little puppy that charmed you at the shelter can rapidly become a large animal within the space of a few months.
There are many advantages to choosing a fully-grown dog as your new companion. Not only does this decision allow you to bypass the rocky first years of a puppy, but you also know the definitive temperament and personality of your new dog and its reaction to living in your home. Secondly, a veterinary examination will inform you immediately as to whether or not your new companion has any medical problems. With an adult, the dog you see in front of you is the same dog you will have for years to come.
If you feel a puppy is right for you, aim for a puppy between the ages of 8 to 12 weeks. A puppy who has had the chance to be socialized by its mother tends to get along better with other dogs later in life. A dog who does not have the chance to spend time in human contact between the ages of 6 weeks to 6 months can develop a very nervous or aggressive personality in the presence of humans. Finally, a puppy who receives the right training adapts well to life with a family, and will become an excellent companion.
Choosing Your Cat
When opting for a cat, people often end up in a situation where it is the cat who chooses them. Nonetheless, if you are in a situation where it is you who must choose the cat, here are some questions you must ask yourself.
15. Choosing a cat or a kitten
Everyone can agree that cats are adorable, fun and mischievous. The effect that these cute little hairballs have on us is so powerful that, very often, we do not realize that adopting a kitten is not the right choice.
For a small kitten, your home seems like an enormous amusement park. Your curtains, as well as your legs, covered or not, are trees that your new little kitten would love to climb. Wires just waiting to be pulled, and everything else that moves awaits attack, and the smallest nooks and crannies of your home are invitations for a game of hide-and-seek for "Kitty-Cat".
If you have children under the age of five, or you live with an elderly person, choosing an adult cat is probably the best option for you. Young children can pose a danger for small cats; naturally, kids love to pull and tug on kittens’ hair, and squeeze them with hugs. When the kitten struggles to get away, and to be left alone, children will only squeeze tighter to keep them from escaping. The kitten risks sustaining serious injuries, and the child will most likely be bitten or scratched.
Kittens are also predisposed to attacking passing feet and their fine, yet sharp, claws can easily break the skin of anyone they come into contact with. With age, cats will learn to control their impulsive force, yet during the learning period, small accidents are likely to occur.
If you are thinking of adopting a kitten, consider adopting two. Your cats will be healthier and happier. Your house will experience less destruction if your kitten has a brother or sister to chase around instead. They learn even faster how to control their actions and, more importantly, claws when they have a partner to learn with. The first lesson is learned the fastest: "Bite me too hard, and I won’t play with you any more!"
If you choose a kitten, only adopt it after 8 weeks of age. The cat needs its mother for the first 8 weeks to be properly socialized and balanced before it can be brought into a new home.
Cat owners often receive an unpleasant surprise to see their affectionate little kittens experience a complete personality change when they reach adulthood. An affectionate adult cat is not always a guarantee.
If you would rather bypass your cat’s kitten phase, or you have very young children, a full-grown cat is probably your best option. In this case, the cat’s personality is already fixed; what you see is what you get. It is also preferable to choose a sterilized (neutered) male, as they adapt to changes in habitat better than females. In shelters, there are many affectionate and sociable adult cats. Each cat has a history, and you will be able to know whether it has been raised with other animals or children, and what its temperament is before adopting it into your home.
16. Male or female?
Some people who have grown up with either male or female cats will develop a preference for one over the other because of the positive experience they had as a child. Actually, there is no real difference between male and female cats once they have been spayed or neutered. The popular belief is that male cats are more affectionate, and that females are more independent. However the world of cats is just as diverse as our own, so keep you mind open, you will always be surprised.
17. Choosing a Pure-Bred or Domestic Cat
If you are in the process of choosing between pure-bred or domestic cat, the rules as per choosing a pure-bred or mixed-breed dog apply.
Unlike with dogs, which have been bred for ages out a need for them to accomplish different tasks, the breeding of cats is relatively new. This practice started in the nineteenth century, with purely aesthetic goals in mind.
18. Do you have any other animals in your home?
If you already own a dog, make sure that it will not treat your new cat like its dinner, but instead that they will be able to peacefully coexist with each other.
If you already have a cat, be aware that it takes some time for the two animals to learn to share the space, or at worst, for your first cat to be able to tolerate a new cat on ITS territory, as cats are extremely territorial animals.
Many people have beliefs and opinions as to which combination of male and female works best when bringing a second cat into your home. The reality is that cats have as much personality as humans, so each individual case is different. However, most people say it is easiest to introduce two males, but if they both have very strong characters, the situation can quickly become unpleasant.
If you would rather not leave too much up to chance, it is best to choose a cat that was raised in the company of other cats. A kitten is the best choice, however, as it adapts easily to any other cat. In any case, it is possible that your first cat, especially when it is a female, will refuse to accept the new cat, even if it is a kitten. This being said, the best option is to adopt two kittens, or two adult cats that you already know get along well with one another. If their first reaction to each other is positive, it is very likely that their interactions will remain positive.
Now matter what way you choose to go about it, the best way to introduce two cats to each other is gradually. Forced introductions can often be traumatic for cats. The two cats need the chance to familiarize themselves with one another, which is a process that can take several days, or even several weeks. It is important that you remain patient and understanding during this period; this is a process that the cats must undergo themselves, at their own rhythm.
19. Do You Live in the Proper Environment?
If you live on the fifth floor of an apartment building, or next to a heavily trafficked road, think about keeping your cat inside. In this case, it is wise to adopt a kitten, or an adult who has already been kept primarily indoors. A cat that has spent most of its life outdoors will have a very difficult time adapting to a life indoors.
If you decide to let you cat outside on a regular basis, and you live in a quieter neighbourhood which is also friendly to cats, be sure to give your cat a collar with a nametag, including your own name, so your new companion is not mistaken for a stray and sent back to a shelter.
20. Do you have the means to care for your cat?
Even though the price of caring for cats are substantially less than for a dog, there can still be significant costs which can often be much more than you might think. Owning a cat is not a right, but a privilege, and by understanding that having a pet does cost money, you are obliged to take as best care of it as possible.
The majority of costs come from their food, litter and annual veterinary examinations and vaccinations. If you cat suffers from a chronic illness, it can cost you a great deal more. You should also factor into the cost of housing your animal, and any damaged or destroyed items. For a healthy cat, you will spend approximately $1,000, including adoption fees in the first year (along with spaying or neutering), and $500 per year after that.
A common mistake made by thrifty owners is to buy lower quality food in order to lower the yearly cost. This puts your cats at risk of developing renal, intestinal or urinary tract infections for which the veterinary fees will make you regret the several cents you saved on cat food per month.
21. Do you have the time to take care of your cat?
Just as a cat is an animal that needs less attention than a dog, it also cannot be ignored. Cats are the most intelligent of all pets; therefore they need forms of stimulation to keep themselves entertained. You must have time to spare to spend cuddling, playing, and even talking with your cat, especially if they will be living indoors. Cats create equally strong bonds with their owners as dogs, and can become lonely if ignored. An unhappy cat can start to display signs of distress, such as over grooming, bulimia, destructive behaviour, and excessive scratching and biting. Cats often lose bladder control when they suffer from depression.
Will you have the time to groom your cat? A short-haired cat does not need frequent brushing, but long-haired cats need to be brushed very often in order to keep them clean and comfortable. Shelters receive many long-haired cats with knotted fur that has not been brushed in months. These knots make cats very uncomfortable and disagreeable. Long-haired cats lose large amounts of fur, and cough up fur balls on a regular basis; they require that your spend more time on their hygiene and grooming than short-haired cats.