If you’re thinking about adding a new pet to your family, it is a time with many questions and much excitement. There are many things to consider when choosing your new furry family member, such as size, your lifestyle, your housing environment, your budget for pet care, and how different pets will fit in with your family and any pets you already have.
We would like to offer some hints and tips to help you make the best choice when bringing a new pet into your family.
Where to find your new pet:
Adopt a shelter pet:
Benefits:
- Most shelter pets are already spayed or neutered
- Already permanently identified(microchipped)
- Have started their vaccinations and deworming series
- Offers you the opportunity to meet and get to know the pet before adoption and bring other pets or family members to meet them too
- You are rescuing a pet that many otherwise not have a home
What to expect your new pet will need:
- Follow-up vaccinations (dependent on your pet’s age). If your new pet is less than 4 months old, they will need a vaccination booster every 2-4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks old
- Screening for parasites, most shelters will have administered at least one broad spectrum deworming to treat the most common parasites.
- Heartworm/ parasite prevention
- Food, toys, bowls, and a leash or litterpan
- A crate or kennel for dogs/ a bed and carrier for cats
- A collar with an identification tag
- Training classes(dogs) and/or socialization(dogs and cats)
Purchase from a breeder:
Benefits:
- Registration with a kennel club if you plan to show your pet or compete in breed competitions(check with your breeder, not all pets are able to register)
- Knowing in advance the approximate size of your pet as an adult, as well as any other specific traits or genetic abnormalities or diseases that may be common in the breed or ancestry
- Some breeders wil have taken the litter to the veterinarian for a first vaccination booster or deworming
What to expect your new pet will need:
- Follow-up vaccinations every 2-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age
- Screening for parasites, most breeders will have administered at least one broad spectrum deworming to treat the most common parasites.
- Spay or neuter surgery between 4-6 months of age
- Heartworm/ parasite prevention
- Permanent identification(microchipping)
- Food, toys, bowls, and a leash or litterpan
- A crate or kennel for dogs/ a bed and carrier for cats
- A collar with an identification tag
- Training classes(dogs) and/or socialization(dogs and cats)
Adopt a foster pet:
Benefits:
- Some foster pets are available through breed specific rescues. This allows you to focus on a specific breed if you so choose.
- Most foster pets are already spayed or neutered
- Already permanently identified(microchipped)
- Have started and sometimes completed their vaccinations and dewormings
- Gives you the opportunity to meet and get to know the pet before adoption and bring other pets or family members to meet them too
- You are rescuing a pet that many otherwise not have a home
- The foster family can give you a lot of insight as to the behavior and training of your new pet. These pets are often more well socialized than many shelter pets.
- Adopting an adult pet may mean less training….but not always!
What to expect your new pet will need:
- Screening for parasites, most rescues will have provided veterinary care including vaccinations and least one broad spectrum deworming to treat the most common parasites. Check with your rescue on what follow-up visits your new pet will need.
- Heartworm/parasite prevention
- Food, toys, bowls, and a leash or litterpan(check with your rescue group…some pets come with belongings)
- A crate/kennel for dogs
- A collar with an identification tag
- Training classes(dogs) and/or socialization(dogs and cats)
Things to consider before choosing your new pet
When choosing your new pet, there are many things to take into consideration. Some of these may include:
· The size and activity level of the pet
· The pet’s grooming and general healthcare needs
· Your family’s lifestyle
· Your time and budget constraints for pet care
· Your home environment – including your yard, other household pets, and children
Where to look for a new pet
www.akc.org – has listings for breeders.
www.docwilliamsspca.org – Doc Williams SPCA
www.summervillespca.org – Francis Willis SPCA
Contact us if you are looking for a specific breed or type of rescue to adopt. We may be able to help you get in touch with a group that has just what you’re looking for.
We can’t wait to meet your new pet and we look forward to becoming partners in your pet’s care throughout her lifetime. Please contact us for your pet’s first visit with 48-72 hours of bringing them home and never hesitate to call with any questions you may have about helping during the transition as your pet becomes comfortable in his new home!
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