How to choose a pet — criteria and methodology

Reading time — 6 min. 

“Usually, when people take a dog, they do not think about the fact they will almost certainly outlive the pet, but the dog is not a chair, not a suit. Losing the dog, a person loses a part of himself ... "

Quote from the book" Will of Columbus"

Pets give people an incredible experience — emotions, physical activity and a feeling of unconditional love. But for all their similarity, animals of even the same species, for example, different breeds of dogs, have completely different needs. This article will help you choose a four-legged friend based on your capabilities and its needs.

Farewell to stereotypes.

Just because you like the look of a particular pet, it doesn't mean that it really suits you. Each type of pet has its own personality, for example, Jack Russell Terriers need to be given a lot of physical activity in order not to get bored, and Shih Tzu requires careful grooming. If you have kids, look for a friendly, confident dog, but in general, don't get stuck on a specific breed.

Most people think that small pets are great for children — they are not. Some pets, including hamsters and chinchillas, are nocturnal, which means that when kids want to play with their pets, they doze off and don't like being woken up.

Pets such as gerbils and mice are very mobile, which makes it difficult for children to play with them without squeezing them too tightly in their hands. Rabbits, for all their cuteness, are aggressive animals that don't like being picked up and hugged.

On the other hand, less popular pets like rats can make great pets — they enjoy social interaction with people. Before choosing a future four-legged family member, do a little research on its size, temperament, exercise requirements, life expectancy and susceptibility to disease, as well as your financial responsibilities related to its maintenance.

Lifestyle

Once you've decided what kind of pet you want, think about whether the chosen species or breed of pet suits your lifestyle.

For example, if you are at work during the day, who will take care of your pet during the day? Are there any dog ​​grooming and walking services in the area that you can use, and how much does their service cost — can you pay for it?

An impulsive decision

You see a sad cat looking at you with longing — although this is very captivating, think about whether you are ready for long-term obligations. Your new pet may live up to 20 years or more, and it may not seem like a good idea to buy this impulse in the future.

Plus, if you don't do research, you won't learn about the animal's history and health or behavioral issues. Choosing the right pet takes time to make an informed decision, so take your time.

Budget

Insurance, food, toys, vaccinations, regular veterinarian check-ups and irregular treatment bills — this is not a complete list of pet care and maintenance costs that put some financial burden on your family budget.

The cost of keeping different species and breeds of pets can differ in thousands of conventional units of money, so calculate in advance how much it will cost to keep your chosen pet in order to be ready for financial responsibilities.

Shelter Pet

Thousands of homeless, abandoned and unwanted pets are in desperate need of a good home. In every city of Ukraine there are charitable organizations that can offer you their support and advice on the subject of both choice and keeping a pet that is best suited for your personality traits, for your lifestyle and financial capabilities.

Taking an adult pet from a shelter is a good decision because its character has already taken shape, and you can make sure in advance that the pet you choose will fit into your lifestyle. As a bonus, the pets from the shelters have already been spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. If you want a specific breed of puppy, you can get one from breeders who you can contact through your local Kennel Clubs.

Help

In each case of adaptation of an animal from a shelter, charitable organizations develop an individual plan for its adaptation, which takes into account all aspects of both the capabilities of the person and the needs of the pet chosen by him. Charitable organizations also help "foster parents" throughout the life of their pets, help swing training, treatment, walking or temporary shelter.

To get advice on choosing and adapting a pet, we advise you to contact the Pethelp. This center collects up-to-date information about pets that can be sheltered from all over Ukraine.

Note

Do not buy animals from dealers — most often they are intermediaries who have little interest in the welfare of the animals they sell.