Picking the Right Pet

Some people know exactly which pet they want to adopt from the beginning: a golden retriever just like the one they grew up with or a snake like the one they saw on television. But many people who decide they want an animal’s love and companionship aren’t sure what animal would be best for them.

To make this important decision, think about your own lifestyle and interests. If you have a lot of time and want an active companion, especially for children, consider a dog. If you simply want another live being in your home, fish take little care and provide plenty of visual pleasure. If you’re a busy person with a hectic schedule, consider more unusual pets like geckos, dwarf hamsters and box turtles that are fun to have around but don’t need constant care. A great resource to use before adopting a pet is the ASPCA.org, which has a brief description of the pros and cons of several kinds of pets.

Depending on the animal you plan to adopt, you may need to decide whether you want a baby or more mature animal from a shelter. Think about your lifestyle again when making this decision. Puppies are cute but need a lot of supervision and care. More mature pets, on the other hand, are often housebroken but come into your home with a fully-formed personality (which can be wonderful or trying, depending on the animal’s background).

Once you’ve made a decision, Petfinder.com is a great resource for finding all kinds of pets to adopt from shelters and rescues all over the country.