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9 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, September 3, 2009 Points to ponder before adopting pet O nce you've decided to adopt a pet there are many things to consider before taking the next step. The Oakville & District Humane Society sees many pet owners who want to surrender animals because they do not fit their lifestyle, needs or have become too much to handle. With advanced planning, this could be avoided. Before adopting a pet consider the following check list: · Talk it over ­ Everyone in a family has different needs, wants and abilities to commit to an animal. Families with young children may not appreciate the enthusiasm, energy and time required to manage a puppy. Busy families may not have time to fit dog walks and training in or the daily playtime and grooming that cats thrive on. Families that travel a lot may not be interested in paying the fees required for kennel care or pet-sitting services while they are away. Collectively deciding on a family pet can be challenging, but the adults in the family should be the final decisionmakers. Adults cannot realistically expect that children will be able to handle all of the responsibility of pet ownership. Even the most mature child will need support. · Supervision is essential to the success of bringing an animal into a home that has children. Young children may unknowingly mishandle an animal causing it harm or distress. The sharp nails and teeth of young animals can also cause harm to a child who has not been forewarned. To safeguard the well-being of both the child and the animal, adults need to be prepared to provide rules about the animal's care and handling and monitor interaction between the animal and the child. The adult should also be responsible for the medical care required for a pet, ensuring that regular visits to the veterinarian are scheduled to keep cats and dogs current with their vaccinations and that all pets are attended to when sick. · Walking the dog, cleaning out the litter box, ensuring there is daily interaction with your pet -- these additional chores can put stress on a family. It is important that the adults in the household acknowledge these responsibilities and talk about them with children in the household, who will be helping with the care of the family pet. The onus of responsibility falls to the adults. Talk over all of these considerations with family members, but make sure that the adult makes the final decision when choosing a pet to adopt. · Know what you are getting -- The Internet has made life much easier for people interested in learning more about pet species and breeds of animals. Animals have their own personality traits and characteristics that you may or may not find appealing in a pet. · Some breeds can be more naturally aggressive or demanding than others. Some have longer hair than others, which could create problems in a household where a family member suffers from allergies and also create additional grooming requirements. Find your suitable match by using information available on the Internet, or through professionals -- veterinarians, breeders, and the Oakville & District Humane Society -- all excellent sources of information on animals. -- Submitted by the Oakville & District Humane Society