Know how to find a pet using a variety of resources for your best pet match

A pet can add love and excitement to your home and life. However, owning a pet is a major commitment that can last years and years. For this reason, finding the right pet for you is essential. You’ll need the kind of pet that will suit your lifestyle and the amount of time you are willing to spend with it.

For instance, if you’re looking for an animal you don’t have to do much with or spend a lot of time caring for, a fish could be a good fit. If you’re looking for a partner to do just about everything with, a dog might be your best option. Once you figure out what you want, it’s time to find a pet. If you don’t know where to look, you can get overwhelmed rather quickly. Fortunately, you’ve got a lot of options and one should be able to connect you with the pet you desire.

Adoption Center

If possible, look for a pet that has been given up for adoption. Depending on where the pet is located, it may be put to sleep unless it is adopted, so it’s always best to look at these types of places. Shelters, animal control and private animal rescues usually have many animals that need homes. Some shelters offer more than just dogs and cats, as well. For instance, you may find rabbits, turtles, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds at adoption centers. Shelter staff are very knowledgeable and can help guide your choice to find the right pet.

Adopting an animal that has been abandoned is not only good for you and the animal, but often comes with incentives, as well. Many animal shelters send you home with helpful animal supplies that help you take care of your pet. You may also get veterinarian vouchers that go towards the cost of future health care for your pet. Adopting your pet from a shelter can save its life and improve yours, as well.

~

Breeders

Breeders are an ideal source at which to find a pet. Many breeders only sell top-quality animals and really care about the animals they breed. Unfortunately, however, this isn’t always the case, which is why you’ll really need to do your homework when it comes to breeders.

If possible, obtain the name of a breeder from someone you trust and who has dealt with the breeder before. Go to the breeder’s home and inspect the living conditions for the animals. You’ll also want to take a look at the parents of the pet you want to purchase to see what kind of health they are in. If the parents look sick or like they haven’t been taken care of, you want to go elsewhere to find your pet. Sick parents often mean sick offspring, which can lead to heartache for you.

The downside to breeders is that they are often expensive. However, they often give the animals vet care before they are sold, so some of the cost is included in the price.

Pet Store

Purchasing reptiles and fish from pets stores is a good idea. However, make sure you take a good look at the pets before you buy them. If the animals look sick, there’s a good chance they aren’t healthy and you don’t want to bring that into your home. Not only is it sad if they happen to pass away, but they can also cause your other animals to become sick.

Cats and kittens from a pet store are often in fine health and make good pets.

If you think you have found the perfect puppy at a pet store, beware. Puppies and dogs at pet stores often come from unscrupulous breeders and “puppy mills.” Puppy mill dogs are raised in inhumane conditions, often have hereditary defects and are a detriment to the general health and gene pool of a breed.

Finding a pet is a fun and rewarding process.

Once you find a pet that is perfect for you and your lifestyle, you’ll likely experience many years of joy and happiness.