Before adopting, ask yourself the following questions:

• Why do you want a pet? It’s amazing how many people do not ask themselves this simple question. Adopting a pet just because it’s “the thing to do” or the children have been wanting a puppy can be a mistake. A pet is a long commitment–10, 15, even 20 years.
• Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.

• Is this pet a good fit with your family? Please bring your entire family to the shelter to meet your new pet and make sure everyone gets along well. That includes not only children (some pets don’t do well with young children) but your canine family members as well. Home At Last can host “pet meets” at the shelter.
• Can you have a pet where you live? Pets may not be allowed at many rental properties or they may have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
• Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.

• Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? Pets like a predictable routine, and your routine may be changing–perhaps because of a new job, a new house, a new member of the family–waiting until you settle down is wise.
• Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active and require a great deal of exercise to be calm and attentive companions.  On the other hand, some big dogs are quite content to lie on a couch all day and will make loving lap dogs.