5 Pet Adoption Tips

To celebrate Pup Culture here at Fairfield Residential, we want to bring you some solid tips that will first, help you decide whether you’re ready to adopt a new fur baby and second, will make the process much more clear and simple. If this is your first time adopting a pet, read our tips below! Then do plenty of research on the type of pet you’re looking at, especially if you’re looking to get a certain breed. Our main tip for adopting a new pet is to be prepared as much as you can!

Let’s check out our additional 5 Pet Adoption Tips!

Photo by Kari Shea via Unsplash

Dog or Cat?

This decision is usually pretty easy for most people unless you’re one of those rare folks that loves both cats and dogs. It seems that many of us are either cat or dog people. If you’re still on the fence it really comes down to the time you have to devote to your new pet. Dogs generally require more time and attention while cats can be entirely content being on their own and sleeping through the day (although there are cats out there that do need constant petting and love!)

Baby or Adult?

There are pros and cons to getting a puppy or kitten and a full grown dog or cat. If you’re going to a shelter, you’ll see that most of the animals there are full grown. If you’re a sucker for the underdog (no pun intended) you may want to go for the adult animals since the older the pet, the less likely they are to get adopted. Another benefit of adopting a full grown pet is that their personality has already been established so you can find one that best matches you. Puppies and kittens take a lot more work in the beginning, but you can also train them to fit into your lifestyle. Something to also consider is that some older pets may have health conditions that may cost more on a monthly basis than a young animal. All in all, it just depends on your preferences. There are so many animals that need homes, both older and younger, that the best thing you can do is find one that you will feel comfortable keeping for the duration of their life.

Lifestyle

It’s important to be honest with yourself about how your pet will fit into your lifestyle. Some dogs need more outside activity like running, hiking and longer walks. Since our residents live in apartments, that will also need to be brought into consideration. If you’re able to come home frequently to walk your dog, most dogs will do just fine (we do have breed restrictions, please check with the property you’re interested for details). If you have a larger dog, but work a regular 9 to 5 , there may be local options for doggy daycare as well!

Apartment Prep

As much as we love our pets and want them to feel right at home, we still don’t want them wreaking havoc on our living spaces. Pets usually become destructive at home when their needs aren’t being met, whether that means they need more attention or tools to help them get some energy out. For cats, scratch pads are a must, along with toys they can chase and places they can perch or lounge. Cats also need a secure place for their kitty litter where they feel comfortable. Best to keep the kitty litter somewhere quiet, out of the way and out of areas that have a lot of commotion. For pups, be sure to get them plenty of chew toys so they don’t end up chewing up your furniture or shoes! A dog bed is also ideal for day naps and doggie beauty sleep. Always remember to have water available for your pet as well. It might be a good idea to have pee pads on hand for dogs that are home all day.

Budget

One of the most important things to consider when getting a pet is how much you can afford to pay for your pet on a monthly basis, plus emergencies. Pets can be very expensive, especially if they have unforeseen health issues. The first step is to figure out your budget for food, supplies, toys and vet visits. The second step is to buy pet insurance as soon as you get your pet as vet visits can be very expensive, especially if you’re not prepared financially. It’s also best to have some money set aside in addition to the insurance just for this reason.

Pets bring so much joy into our lives, but they are also a big responsibility. The best thing you can do for your pet is to make sure you’re prepared to take care of them through thick and thin the rest of their lives. Many pets get returned to shelters because owners realize that having a pet was a bigger responsibility than they bargained for. The more you’re prepared, the better life you will be able to give your fur baby!