Deciding to adopt a pet into your family is a big commitment that can bring years of great joy. One of the critical and often overlooked parts of a successful animal rescue is planning ahead to ensure you’re providing the best quality of life. Spending time and effort to plan and prepare for your new family member can ensure that the transition into your home is a smooth and pleasant one for you and your new pet. Here are some things you want to consider that will help enhance your animal rescue’s quality of life.
Build Your Village
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”. The same goes for a pet. Here are a few things to do before adoption to get your village ready.
- Be sure that all members of the family are on board with the decision to adopt and willing to participate in care and training.
- Research the animal rescue that you plan to work with. Make sure the organization is a reputable one and not a puppy mill in disguise. Get your adoption application pre-screened so you are ready when the right pet comes along.
- Form a relationship with the veterinary practice that you will work with. Find out a realistic estimate of the cost of annual care. Keep in mind that:
- Many of the initial costs might be covered by the rescue organization.
- Rescued pets come with an unknown health history. Consider purchasing pet insurance for your newly adopted pet to cover any unexpected health conditions. You can get a free copy of my Pet Insurance Comparison Chart below.
I have created a comparison chart containing the information that I was able to collect online from the ten companies that seemed most popular. This was the basic information available at the time I was shopping so I can’t vouch for the current accuracy. This chart is for educational purposes only. Ask Your Animals is not offering insurance advice and is not an insurance expert. Each person utilizing this information is responsible for their insurance choices and due diligence.
Please provide your information below to get the comparison emailed to you.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Prepare Appropriately
- Give a close examination of your current lifestyle and schedule. Make sure that you have the time and resources to devote to a new family member.
- Choose the pet that fits the size of your home and yard. A very busy person with only a small apartment might be better off choosing a cat as a companion. While an avid runner might choose a large dog breed known for their stamina. When we choose a companion that does not fit, it can cause stress for the animal and for us. Many adopted pets are returned to the shelter because they were expected to fit into a household that was not well suited to their needs. Narrowing your search ahead of time helps to ensure a match made in heaven.
- Prepare your home for a new pet before it arrives. Consider fostering a pet before adopting one to be sure that you are ready for the commitment.
Lastly, Be Certain!
When you do get that call from the animal rescue saying, “we have a great pet for you”, take the time to revisit your list of pet requirements so that you can make a solid decision and not get carried away by a warm pair of sorrowful eyes. Considering all of this will create a great foundation for a good quality of life for you both.