Buying vs. Adopting by Kristen White
In our December issue, pages 40 through 42 talked all about finding a new pet. Here, Kristen White tells us about hot to determine whether you want to BUY or ADOPT your furry (or not!) friend.
If you know your family is ready to bring a pet into your home, you’ll have to decide how to find your furry (or feathery or shelled or bubbling) friend.
Pet stores may be the only place available in your vicinity for certain kinds of pets. When buying from a pet store, assure how the pets have been cared for prior to purchase and what kind of warranty comes with them. If your son is willing to fork out more than $100 for an aquarium and all the set-up costs, you want to be assured his turtle or lizard will live longer than a month!
In general, the best place to find a dog or cat is your local animal shelter. In the United States, 3.7 million animals are euthanized every year because of overpopulation. That’s 800 every minute! Your family may be able to help alleviate this sad situation. Some shelters allow a trial period; inquire about policies at the shelter or humane society in your community.
If your family is interested in an American Kennel Club (AKC) registered dog or specialty breed of cat, in most cases it is better to purchase the pet directly from the breeder. That way, you can meet the mother (and perhaps father) of your pet, see the conditions in which she was raised, and ask questions. Responsible breeders will provide a health certificate from a veterinarian showing proof of vaccinations, worming, and a general exam. Many maintain a policy to take the animal back if there is a problem.
Did any of our readers get a new pet for Christmas? How did you make the decision on what to buy and where to get him or her?
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
