Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Dogs and cats require lots of time, money, and commitment—more than 15 years’ worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.
Things to Consider
The fact that you’re thinking of adopting from an animal shelter means you’re on the right track—it’s definitely the responsible, caring thing to do. But here are some things to think over first:
- Why do you want a pet? It’s amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it’s “the thing to do” or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don’t forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
- Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.
- Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
- Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
- Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don’t allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
- Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you’re a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
- Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active—they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you’ll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
- Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation? You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
- Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
- Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.
Get an Animal for Life
Sure, it’s a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.
Many of the shelter’s homeless animals are puppies and kittens, victims of people who irresponsibly allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at the shelter who are more than a year old—animals who were obtained by people who didn’t think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the animal.
Please, don’t make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you’re willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love—for the life of the pet.
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Dear Goo,
Since it is a “freak” that adoption costs money I wander why you actually contacted PAWS, is it because you can pick up something for free?
I personally I think you are right. You should go to the friday market and pick up a beautiful kitten for 50 KD and within 5 days I guarantee you will spend 50 KD for its IV fluids and antibiotics for the treatment of Panalekopenia and Peritonitis (look it up cause I doubt you even know what they are) and then within 5 days you can drive your fancy car to the beach side and bury your little pure breed kitten and along with it your 50 KD.
PAWS has strict rules as to who these animals go out to and I promise you that you would not even be elegible for adoption based on your inability to understand what owning a pet entails. I presume that you don’t undersand what is an adoption fee and why its there. You are not buying a cat or dog at PAWS. You are donating for a cause that can only function with the support of donations.
How much do you think it costs to take care of an animal? Spaying a cat costs 50 KD (100KD in Royal Animal Hospital or IVH), Vaccinations and microchipping cost not less than 20KD, food that the cat eats costs around 10KD per week (depending on what you feed it… or in your case if you feed it at all) and then there is the sand (4 KD per week) On top of that there are people that have been taking care of the pet and cleaning its litter tray and grooming it and stroking it prior to your highnesses arrival.
I actually think that 50KD is not enough. And do you know why? Because the object of the game is to ward off little girls and boys like yourself who think that an animal is not worth paying for.
I personally make it my mission and go to the friday market every weekend and buy 5 cats or dogs… the dying ones and fight for their life. I used to give them out for free until I read your post today. You will never respect anything unless you pay for it. Every month I spend between 500 and 1500KD on rescuing the animals that need our help and I dont discriminate between its color or breed or whether it has 3 legs or one eye. I have rehomed over 200 cats and 50 dogs in the last 2 years … I’ve had the purest and most expensive of all breeds but my personal animals are a black streetcat, a desert dog and 2 mixed breed dogs ……All of them were at the doors of death when I found them.
and you know something….you will never understand what it means to hug a cat with 3 legs or a blind street kitten that purrs and tucks deep under your tshirt offering you unconditional love for giving it a second chance at life.
I feel sad only that people like you actually get the opportunity to own a pet .
It’s freak that adoption will cost me money.
If this is the way, I’d prefer to pick out the most beatiful cat in Souk Tiyoor – in shuwaikh instead of paying away so much money for such cats you collect from the street.
Yes,
Those are street’s cats, baby. I can notice that from their looks.
Abbas,
Adoption price will be around 50 KD. It is price of all required vaccinations and operations.
i would like to adopt a cat. do i have to pay a donation?if yes,how much?
Im realy interested and i wish to visit the shelter an see the dogs and find the suitable dog for me
Hello everyone , im a volunteer at the shelter and i work with almost all the animals over there , i have noticed that alot of you are wanting to adopt dogs and cats , if you are interested , contact me on 60692619 or email me at al_shalabi@live.com and i can arrange for you to come with me to the shelter and have a look at all the animals we have , hanan you asked for a persian cat , we have several persian cats there and they are very friendly and nice , we also have 2 litters of puppies that are a few months old and really need a home so they can start their life with proper care and training , thank you all .