Welcoming a furry friend into your home is an exciting time, but it comes with a lot of much-needed preparation. Here are a few tips to consider before taking the trip to pick up your new family member.
- Be realistic. You might assume that adopting a pet is as simple as paying the adoption fee and taking your new furry friend home. But it’s important to anticipate future needs. A pet costs much more than their adoption fee. You’ll need to budget for veterinarian bills, grooming requirements, daily essentials and other various needs.
- Is everyone on board? It is important to discuss the new addition to the family with everyone in your household — and to think about any pets that already reside in the home. While you can’t ask your pets if they are okay with welcoming a new friend, you should consider how they have reacted to other animals in their space should they have had experience with that. Other than your furry family members, it is essential that everyone in your home is on board with the new addition. Have a household meeting to discuss any questions or concerns anyone may have and to talk about the responsibilities that come with taking care of your new pet.
- Preparing your home. Whether you are adopting a young or adult pet, you may need to make changes to your home to ensure your space is a safe one. Secure all hazardous supplies and items out of reach of your pet. If you have an outdoor space for your pet, you will want to be sure there aren’t any places where he or she could escape. Check to make sure any indoor plants you own are pet friendly.
- Adjusting to a new routine. Taking care of a pet comes with many new tasks that will need to be added to your daily routine. Feeding your pet, making sure they are getting adequate exercise and even daily grooming all need to be a scheduled part of your day. Making a task list is a great way to share responsibilities between household members and to be sure you are staying on top of your pet’s needs.
- Visit before you adopt. Visiting local shelters and rescue leagues allows you to ask the staff which pet would be the best fit for you. The staff knows each pet’s personality and can help you find your perfect match. If you are looking to adopt locally, you can visit the Animal Rescue League of Berks County in Birdsboro at berksarl.org or Humane Pennsylvania in Reading at humanepa.org.
