Animal Attraction

When Ruth Putnam from Arlington, MA, decided she wanted to adopt a pet—a kitten to be exact—she was happy to learn that someone who worked in her vet’s office had a neighbor whose cat was about to give birth. Six weeks later, the neighbor arrived at her house.

“We told him we wanted a female,” Ruth says. “He came with a basket with three tiny black and white females. One of them woke up and sat up, so I took her.”

If you’re thinking of adopting a pet or if you’ve just brought your new family member home, you’re not alone: Pet ownership in America has been increasing every year, from 51 million households in 1988 to 64 million in 2002 to 71.1 million in 2007. Maybe you’ve even pictured your new pet in your mind a thousand times—a cute, furry creature bounding to the door to greet you after a hard day’s work. Like Ruth, you’ll know your perfect pet—whether it’s a feline, foxhound, ferret or fish—when you first lay eyes on it and fall helplessly head over heels.

Puppy love and kitten kisses aside, adopting a pet is similar to bringing home a new baby. “You’re now responsible for another living soul,” says pet lifestyle advisor Wendy Nan Rees, author of several pet books, including The Name Game: An Eclectic Look at How and Why People Name Their Pets and The Natural Pet Food Cookbook: Healthful Recipes for Dogs and Cats. “The pet needs to be fed, cared for and taken to the vet. It’s really like having a child.” Like a child, your new pet will bring you untold affection and joy, but it may also keep you up at night, leave little messes around the house and have you scratching your head over its crazy behavior.

When adopting a pet, the first 30 days are crucial because this is the time when you’ll lay the groundwork for your life of companionship. “The first 30 days creates the footprint for how you and your pet will live together,” says Rees. “In those first 30 days, you’re creating a bond, a relationship and showing that animal what your life together is going to be.” During this time, you’ll get to know each other, establish a routine and fall in love.

Taking the Plunge: Adopting a Pet

Though some people know from the start that they want a Maine Coon Cat, an American Water Spaniel or an African Grey Parrot, many prospective pet owners have no idea which animal would suit them best. If you don’t know what you’re looking for when adopting a pet—or even if you do—consider your interests and lifestyle.

If snuggling up quietly on the couch is how you like to relax, a cat is a good companion. Dogs make great running partners. If you’re a no-muss, no-fuss type, fish are easy to care for and soothing to watch. Mice and hamsters are great first pets for children, who can help to care for them within their own rooms. If your pet needs a lot of exercise or periodic walks, are you able to meet its needs? A great resource to use before adopting a pet is the ASPCA’s web site, which has a brief description of the pros and cons of several kinds of pets.