Should I Adopt a Pet?

Do you love animals?

Have you ever owned a pet?

Do you have an extra couple hundred of dollars to spend a month?

Do you travel a lot?

Are your relatives or friends willing to take care of your pet while you’re gone?

Do you have your own place?

Is your roommate/partner/family OK with having a pet at home?

Do you come back home late from work?

Do you have anyone to take your pet out while you’re at work?

Are you willing to pay a dog-walker to take your pet out for a walk?

Are you sentimental about your furniture, clothes, shoes and other personal items?

Are you willing to sacrifice some of your precious belongings for unconditional love and furry cuddles?

You shouldn’t adopt a pet.

Try asking one of your friends or relatives that have a pet to let them stay with you for a weekend. See if it’s comfortable for you to be with a pet 24/7, take care of their needs and enjoy their company. If it turns out as a positive experience, go ahead and adopt your own pet. If not so, try again until it gets better (maybe ask a different friend’s pet next time).

Pets may give you unconditional love and affection, but they come with their monthly expenses. Food, Toys, routine visits to the vet’s, vaccine this, flea shots that, your little friend bit hard on a sharp bone – these are all expected and unexpected expenses you should take into consideration beforehand.

If you’re away a lot then you shouldn’t adopt a pet. Having a pet is like having a child, you need to take care of their needs because they can’t do it themselves. Like children, pets rely a lot on your care and attention, they would probably not survive on their own. If you’re not there to provide what they need then it’s better to wait for a more suited timing.

You shouldn’t adopt a pet if not everyone in your house are comfortable with it. Once you’ll have your own place, or will share a place with like-minded people, you will be able to adopt a pet.

Some pets, especially dogs, require A LOT of attention and care. Dogs practically depend on you, it's a similar relationship to a mother-infant kind. If you’re too unavailable to be able to take your dog out at least twice a day and you won’t pay a dogwalker to do so, you should consider adopting a cat. They're much more self-sufficient than dogs. That said, this kind of relationship is more like a mother-teenager... The cat sets the tone and they are moody creatures (we love cats!).

Some pets, especially cats (who are very possessive) and puppies, can wreak havoc in your house. If you care much about your sofa, bed and shoes, and you still want to adopt a tiny friend, please consider a parrot, rabbit, turtle or anything you can box/cage when needed.

Are you still here? Congratulations! We think you’re ready to adopt a pet. Whether your house is big or small, has a yard or doesn’t, giving a home to an animal in need is one of the kindest things you can do. Sure, it comes with a list of new responsibilities, but you receive a lot in return in the form of endless love from your new hairy friend for life. We recommend that you visit your local animal shelter and consult with the workers about the right fit for you. We hope you’ll find your best buddy soon!