Puppies and Kittens and Fish, OH MY! Let me guess, everyone seems to be getting new pets, and the puppy fever is getting to you. You are ready to adopt your first pet on your own. But how do you go about finding your future furry friend? Well, I am here to guide you in the right direction.
- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!
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Always start by doing research to find a pet that is right for you and your lifestyle. Are you a cat person or a dog person? Are you mostly relaxed and chill, or are you more active? Do you live in a house, apartment, or townhome? Would you prefer a younger pet or an older pet? Are you financially stable enough to care for this particular animal? These are all important things to consider when finding a new pet. Cats are all fairly similar when it comes to breeds but with dogs there are a lot more breeds with lots of variation. If you aren’t sure what breed is right for you here are some resources to help you.
https://www.akc.org/dog-breed-selector/
https://www.iams.com/breedselector/
https://www.pedigree.com/getting-a-new-dog/breed-match
The above links are a few options of tests to find what breed is good for your lifestyle; they will give you multiple matches. Keep in mind that a breed does not define every dog, and every dog has their own spunk and personality. Another thing to keep in mind is that you don’t have to get a purebred dog as those can become expensive when buying from a breeder and later on in life as purebreds tend to have more health issues than mixed breeds.
- FIND YOUR FURRY FRIEND
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Now that you’ve found what type of pet suits your lifestyle, it is the time to start searching for your pet. There are so many options available when it comes to places to adopt a pet. Try your local SPCA, Animal Shelter, or rescues to find a dog who is in need of a good home. I highly recommend looking to rescue an animal before going to breeders for a variety of reasons. https://www.petfinder.com/ has lots of resources to help you find an animal that fits your needs/wants. You can find animals from as small as hamsters and birds to as large as horses! They also have a survey to help you find the pet that is just right for you!
- TAKE THEM HOME
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You are bringing your new furry friend home! Have you thought of a name yet? Sometimes, thinking of a name can be tricky but luckily I have some resources for you!
https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-names/
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a28381186/best-dog-names/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/top-100-girl-dog-names/
Before they get home, here is a list of things that are handy to have:
Food and Water Bowls
Food
Bed
Crate/Carrier
Toys
Leash/Collar/Harness
Phone Number of your local Veterinarian
Any essential care needs (varies based on type of pet)
Grooming Tools (ie brushes, combs, nail clippers, etc)
Training tools (Treats, Clickers, puppy pads, etc)
Once you are home and have your pet, you should have some type of medical records. Scan through that to see if there are any vaccinations or treatment that they need. Some common vaccines are rabies, kennel cough, and parvo. You should look into making a vet appointment soon after getting your pet to receive a check up, get any missing vaccinations, as well as to get your pet spayed or neutered if they are not already. These steps will ensure that you have a happy and healthy pet.
- ENJOY
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Now that you have your new best friend, go spend time with them, give them some love and enjoy the new addition to your family! If you have any questions or concerns or just want to learn more, you can go to https://www.petsbest.com/dog-owners-guide or call your vet.