So, You Think You Want a Pet?

Making the decision to own a pet should be well thought out, researched, and just when you think that you've made up your mind you should continue to gather information until you feel confidant that you are going to own this pet forever.

Many people are guilty of purchasing an animal on a whim, not really taking into consideration the huge commitment that comes along with owning a pet. Most shelters and animal rescues are over-crowded with pets that were given up because the owner didn't want to invest their time and love into their animal.

Once you have made the decision to look into getting a pet, you should research what kind of animal would best fit your personality and lifestyle. Think about the time and money you have to put into owning a pet. Remember that the cost of the animal doesn't stop with the original purchase price, be prepared for vet bills, food costs, and litter costs if you decide to go with a cat.

The average cost of owning a puppy can be somewhere around $374.00 to $658.00 in the first year alone. The cost of owning a kitten within the first year is around $422.00 to $630.00.

If, after taking all of the cost and time commitments into consideration you decide that you still want to own a pet, you should begin researching various breeds and types. There are some websites such as, Petloveshack.com and Matchmypet.com that can be a fun way of helping to figure out what pet would be best for you.

If filling out a survey to help with your decision isn't your thing you can look into local rescue groups and animal shelters for advice and to meet some homeless pets that are just waiting for the perfect home. The volunteers at these shelters are always more than happy to help you make sure that you're matched up with the perfect pet.

You can search local shelters online by going to Petfinder.com and entering in your zip code. This website will pull from local shelters and rescue groups and you can get an idea of what pets you'll be meeting when you go.

Rescuing an animal from a shelter is oftentimes recommended over meeting with a breeder. By rescuing an animal you are saving the life of a pet that may not have gotten a second chance otherwise. There can also be occasions where pure breed pets will have more health problems than a mixed breed due to possible inbreeding and unethical breeding practices. However, this is not always the case. Research is key when purchasing from a breeder.

Do not ever purchase your pet from a pet store. While these animals are unquestionably adorable they are more likely to have been purchased from a pet mill. Animals raised in mills are treated extremely inhumanely and are often plagued with health problems. Don't be fooled by any sort of guarantee from the pet store. These animals may not show serious health problems until there are around two years old.