Pet Adoption: the Vital Importance of Research Before Making a Choice

Research before adopting a pet is sometimes something that is overlooked. This small step is an easy way to minimize future problems that could arise. Making sure the pet is safe, comfortable, and happy should be an owner’s primary concern. Failure to do research can result in many consequences including returning the pet, which makes pet adoption very stressful for the anima. In the essay there are some arguments for doing a research before adopting a pet as it is important to make sure that the pet you want fits you and your family’s lifestyle.

From responsibilities like insurance, nutrition, toys, and vet bills, having a pet is a financial obligation. Emergency vet bills can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For example, an ACL surgery on a larger dog can cost around $3,000. “If you haven’t done your research, you won’t know anything about the pet’s history and any health or behavioral problems that they come with. Choosing the right pet requires both planning and time so don’t rush into anything”. Many organizations and charities offer helpful information on pet adoption.“Charities like Blue Cross can offer support and advice about individual pets and help you find the right one for you and your family. They’ll discuss your lifestyle and what you want from a pet and suggest suitable animals from the many in their care”. It is important to do research before adopting, such as the legality of the animal, type of animal, and the responsibilities that come along with adopting a pet to make sure that it is the right fit for you.

It is important to understand that just because the pet seems cute or interesting, that does not mean it is the right fit for you. According to Blue Cross, “pets like gerbils and mice are quick and agile so it’s difficult for children to handle them without squeezing too hard. And rabbits are prey animals and don’t always enjoy being picked up and cuddled”̈. It is also a good idea to consider whether the animal is nocturnal or not.“Some pets, including hamsters and chinchillas, are nocturnal which means that when the kids want to play, their pets are snoozing happily and won’t appreciate being disturbed”. Children should be a major determining factor when it comes to bringing a new animal into the house. “If you have children look for a friendly, confident dog rather than focussing on a particular breed'. While pet adoption can be a lengthy process, it is worth it when you find your new companion.

Pet Adoption Can Add Something New and Exciting to Your Life

According to professionals, “an adult rescue pet is a great choice because their personalities are already established so you can be more confident about whether they’ll fit in well with your lifestyle. They will be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated so they offer great value compared to the outlay involved in buying from a breeder”. An older pet might be the right choice for you if you are looking for a more relaxed companion. However, because of their age, they may require extra care. “Every pet has its own personality and certain breeds of dogs often have strong traits – for example, Jack Russell terriers can need a lot of exercise and play to stop boredom setting in”. Finding the right type of pet and the right breed are very important steps, but so is finding a good place to adopt your pet from.

It is important to understand the difference between a reputable breeder and somewhere like a puppy mill. “Don’t purchase online or from dealers who offer multiple breeds or types of pets – these may well turn out to be puppy farmers or commercial dealers who have little interest in the welfare of the pets they sell”. It is important to look into the breeder that you choose and make sure to ask them important questions. Such as “may I see the animals parents?”, or “how many different breeds do you carry here?”. If they refuse to answer those kinds of questions that is a major red flag. “Ask the breeder for all the relevant paperwork, like pedigree registration papers, health screening certificates and written medical history, including vaccinations and worming”. Adopting from a good breeder can be helpful in the long run, it is a possible way to dodge many health issues that an animal coming from a puppy mill may be susceptible to.

Many people find a shelter to be a great option and an easy way to make sure they are avoiding puppy mills. However, shelters and no-kill shelters can be just as bad.“So-called “no-kill” or “turn-away” shelters, which are supported by supposed animal rights activist Nathan Winograd, have the luxury of not euthanizing animals because they turn away needy ones whom they deem unadoptable”. Due to the fact that no-kill shelters have the ability to turn away people that are surrendering their pets, those people often turn to cruel efforts in order to get rid of their animals. A result of shelters turning pets away is the following story that came from PETA, “a Pennsylvania man who tried to surrender his dog to a no-kill shelter was told that he would have to make an appointment to return two weeks later when the facility might have room. The man grabbed his dog, got in his pickup truck, and left. At the next intersection, he threw the dog out of the truck and ran over him, crushing the dog beneath his tires. Shelter workers, who wouldn’t help the dog before he died, collected the dog’s remains”. PETA decided to undercover to reveal what was really going on at one of these no-kill shelters, “PETA’s undercover investigation at a North Carolina no-kill shelter called All Creatures Great and Small documented that animals were suffering physically and emotionally as a result of ongoing, systematic abuse and neglect. In addition, the investigator observed that dogs, cats, and other animals were frequently left to languish in constant confinement, deprived of veterinary care, and subjected to a multitude of other atrocities”. “Animals who are accepted into no-kill shelters may be warehoused in cages for months, years, or the rest of their lives, becoming more withdrawn, depressed, or aggressive every day—further reducing their chances of adoption”. Unfortunately, this aspect of no-kill shelters often goes overlooked. People do not realize that no-kill means that if that pet is not adopted it remains at the shelter for potentially its whole life. While remaining at the shelter, because of the long periods of isolation and atmosphere, the dog becomes less and less social. Which in turn makes it less likely to be adopted because of its behavior as a result of the way it is being treated.

Taking Responsibility for Adopting the Exotic Pet

The exotic pet trade has continued to grow in the US throughout the years and has had many consequences. Reptiles alone account for a large number of animals being imported into the US. “Ownership of reptiles and amphibians in the US has more than doubled in less than two decades, from 2.4 million households in 1994 to 5.6 million in 2012”. “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement signed by 183 governments, has voted to ban or limit trade in many animal species sought after as pets”. People often fail to realize that even though their exotic pet is cute, it is still a wild animal and it is not domesticated and may carry disease. “An outbreak of exotic Newcastle disease, which resulted in the deaths of 12 million birds in the U.S. in the 1970s, was traced to parrots smuggled from South America”. When looking into adopting an exotic pet it is extremely important to make sure that the animal is safe and legal before you bring one into your home.

One issue that exotic pets create is if their owners let them go, they sometimes overpower native species and drive them away. “We show recent and substantial worldwide growth in the number of non‐native animal populations introduced via this invasion pathway, which demonstrates a strong potential to increase the number of invasive animals in the future”. As the number of invasive species increases in an area, the native animals wind up being driven out or the area becomes extremely overpopulated. “For some vertebrate groups, such as reptiles and amphibians, the pet trade has contributed the largest number of established non‐native species worldwide”. Exotic pets are a great idea if you have the time to care for them and provide a lifelong home for them.

Not only is it important to make sure that you can take care of the pet and all of its needs, but the legality of the animal is also something that needs to be looked into. “Many countries also prohibit domestic sales or possession of certain animals. In the U.S., laws regulating the ownership of exotic pets vary from state to state”. As owning exotic pets has become more and more common, some countries are taking action against it. They are beginning to take action simply because of the negative effects that come along with the exotic pet trade. From increased crime, overpopulation of some species, disease, and attacks, the exotic pet trade has a lot going against it. “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora , an international agreement signed by 183 governments, has voted to ban or limit trade in many animal species sought after as pets”. However, even with a ban on exotic animals, they will still be smuggled into the US as well as other countries. If a person wants the animal bad enough and they can not obtain it legally, they will buy it from the black market. This creates an entirely new issue, not only do they now own an illegal animal but they are supporting an illegal business. Furthermore, if the animal is illegal then it is not likely that the owner is providing veterinary care for it in fear of being caught. So not only is it dangerous for the owner but now the animals health is at risk too.

When taking on the responsibility of an exotic pet it is essential that both the owner and the animal are safe. “Wild animals have the potential to attack their owners or spread diseases, such as Ebola and SARS”. “A recent trend in Chinese markets is the selling of live‐animal keychains, in which live reptiles, amphibians, or fish are kept in small pouches as jewelry; these animals either die, are removed from the pouches and kept in captivity, or are released from the pouches into the wild”. Owning exotic pets can be dangerous for both the owner and the animal. Many people forget that no matter how domesticated the animal may seem, it is still a wild animal.

Conclusion

It is important to do research before pet adoption. These areas requiring research include the legality of the animal, the type of animal, and the responsibilities that come along with adopting a pet to make sure that it is the right fit for you. Being educated before starting the process will make it much easier and safer. Remembering that a little research goes a long way is crucial when it comes to adopting, especially when it comes to exotic pets.

Getting information about adoption is super easy and available, especially with technology. Things such as talking to a local veterinarian, shelter, reputable breeder, or even going online are all great starting points. Asking basic questions like the ones stated previously are a great way to start, especially when dealing with a breeder. It does not matter how the research is done just as long as the correct steps are followed.