Growing up on seven acres of land, my family literally had an animal farm. We had everything from horses to ducks under our care at some point. I even had a praying mantis as a pet for a while! While becoming a pet owner is a common undertaking, unfortunately, it isn't always the result of an informed decision. So if you’re new to the whole pet thing, or you're thinking of getting a first-time pet for your child, check out these tips to ensure you make the right choice.
Do a background check. Why wouldn’t you want to know everything about what you’re looking for before bouncing off to the pet shop to throw around some money? Seeing a big-eyed, furry little exotic sugar glider in a pet store window is one thing, but bringing it home and feeding it meal worms everyday while you gag is another. Exotic pets can be a great conversation starter, but do your research before committing to a “cool” pet. Some exotics are not legal as pets in Georgia, so if they are found, they will be taken away from you and possibly euthanized. That would be a hard one to explain to the kids because you didn’t bother to look up the local laws and abide by them.
Better breeds. Believe it or not, not all breeds in a species are created equal. Some dog breeds have a tendency to be more aggressive than others just based on centuries of breeding. Some cat breeds just don’t like children around as much as others. There are bird breeds that are more prone to biting the hand that feeds them. And while it’s rare that your chosen pet will ever be capable to do enough physical damage to warrant a “Beware of animal” sign, you should be prepared to choose a pet that fits your living situation and budget. If you aren’t an active person, you probably shouldn’t pick an active pet. If you don’t like a somewhat noisy, often messy house, you probably shouldn’t choose an exotic in general since most of them aren’t the easiest to house-train.
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Support your local do-gooders. If you decide on a traditional pet like a dog or cat, do go to the local pound, such as Southern Hope Humane Society, to give a shelter animal a home. The animals in these shelters are looking for the perfect owner just as you’re looking for the perfect pet. If you go through a breeder, you will end up paying 10 times what you would have if you would mosey down to the shelter. Many times there are purebred dogs and cats there that have been neglected by previous owners or found on the street. You can get a wonderful, beautiful, cheap pet up to date on shots for less than the cost of a single vet visit.
A pet can bring you years of laughter and even give you a shoulder to cry on. But being a pet owner is a major responsibility, so make sure that you—or your child—are ready and willing to make sacrifices and keep promises to ensure that the pet you choose will be a long-term commitment for all.
