Author: Aya Benomar

There are several things to take into consideration when choosing a pet to adopt. First of all, make sure to never impulse adopt an animal! Think about your personal needs and capabilities first. I’m talking about allergies, space, lifestyle, time, financial situation,… But also think about the needs of the animal in question. You want to adopt an animal that is compatible with you and you’ll want to be capable of providing for them. In this blogpost, I’ll be sharing some key-elements to keep in mind when choosing the right pet.

1. Space, environment and activity

Are you looking into adopting a dog? Dogs require a lot more space: a backyard and preferably a park nearby to play/exercise in. After having interviewed one of the volunteers at the local shelter, we learned that they would rather choose an adopter with a small backyard but is capable of taking the dog to walk regularly, than an adopter with a large garden but without the capability of going on many walks. This goes to show how active dogs are and how important the outdoors is for them. Dogs need the time and space to run and play around as they please in an environment that is large enough.

Cats don’t require a lot of space compared to dogs, however they do need an environment to help stimulate their natural instincts. They should have the ability to sneak and play around, as well as a spot to claim as their personal space. You should also think about a designated water, food and litter box area.

If applicable, be sure to check your landlord’s rules regarding pet ownership.

2. Family and lifestyle

If you live with family or any roommates, be sure to involve them in the decision making process! What suits your lifestyles? Make an agreement that aligns with all of your needs together.

What does your daily routine look like? Assess your lifestyle and that of the animal. Dogs cannot be left alone at home for more than 4-6 hours. Cats on the other hand can stay on their own for way longer. Look at your schedule and that of your family/roommates. For dogs, it’s ideal if they have at least 2 human-friends who take turns in accompanying them throughout the day. 

3. Energy and activity

Some people are more sedentary than others. Depending on your energy levels, you should get a pet that aligns with your routine. Do you go outside often for a walk or a run? Then, why not get a dog to accompany you on your exercise? An active owner is the dream-friend of a dog. You both benefit from it, so it is a win-win situation! 

Or are you more the type of person to hang out at home after school or work? A cat would love to snuggle up to someone on the couch for a couple of hours without being disturbed, and in the meantime, you can show them a lot of love by petting them while watching your favourite show.

A happy life

Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle is a big decision that requires careful thought and consideration. By taking into account your living space, daily routine, energy levels, and the needs of your potential furry friend, you can create a happy life for both you and your pet.

If you already have adopted any animals, what factors were most important to you when choosing which pet to adopt? Please, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below!

sources

Van Heeckeren, A. M., DVM. (2022, June 7). Tips for choosing the right pet for your home and lifestyle. One Health. https://www.onehealth.org/blog/tips-for-choosing-the-right-pet-for-your-home-and-lifestyle 
Ellie. (2023, August 16). How to choose the right pet for your lifestyle. Roundwood Vets.https://www.roundwoodvets.co.uk/single-post/how-to-choose-the-right-pet-for-your-lifestyle
Choosing the Right Pet – Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County. (n.d.). Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County. https://www.chssteubencounty.org/choosing-the-right-pet/

Have you ever wondered why animals are so important to human-beings? Why there are so many different households with different pets? There are a lot of benefits of having a little creature at home to call your friend. Some of them may even surprise you!

It’s scientifically proven that pets can reduce our stress levels. When you spend some time petting your favorite dog or cat your body releases oxytocin, prolactin and serotonin. These are the so-called “feel-good” hormones. It also lowers cortisol levels, which is the body’s natural stress hormone. This lowers our blood-pressure by 10% and sends our body to a relaxed state! Physical exercise is another one: dogs need to go on walks regularly. This is a good way to get your daily steps in for yourself and for your furry friend!

Next to the physical benefits, there are also a ton of mental benefits. Pets provide us with emotional support. If you deal with loneliness, dogs and cats are perfect to help keep your spirits up. They are the perfect companions and great listeners. Pets give us a sense of purpose and help people with depression to find a reason to get out of bed and to get some fresh air. Thanks to the calming effect of a loving house-animal, people who struggle with anxiety find a lot of comfort with their pets. Did you know that pets can oftentimes pick up on our moods? They can sense when we feel sad or anxious, and therefore try to comfort us by snuggling up to us or licking our hands.

These factors all play a part in the overall health of a human being. For seniors and younger people especially, having a pet is very beneficial. 

Having a companion pet as a child is great because it helps with emotional, cognitive, behavioural, educational, and social development. It fulfills attachment needs, improves self-esteem, helps in regulating emotions and with all that also comes the physical and mental benefits named above. 

Same can be said for our seniors. The elderly with companion pets have an improved quality of life as it helps them get out of the house more. It has also been proven that they show slowing symptoms of dementia and that symptoms of depression and anxiety are alleviated.

Overall, having a furry friend has more upsides than downsides! I really recommend thinking about it. See what you, as an individual or a household, may need and if you are prepared to take on the responsibilities of looking after a pet. It comes with a lot of authority and costs, but considering the benefits it comes with it, it is certainly worth thinking about.

sources:

Buyting. (2020, May 21). The Importance of Pets in Our Lives. Transitions LifeCare. https://www.transitionslifecare.org/2020/05/27/the-importance-of-pets-in-our-lives/ 

What are the benefits of companion animals to human health? (2024, August 6). https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-are-the-benefits-of-companion-animals-to-human-health/

Habri. (2024, May 2). How Pets Impact Our Mental Health. HABRI. https://habri.org/blog/how-pets-impact-our-mental-health/ 

Most adopting families tend to lean towards pets who are on the younger side. Senior pets are oftentimes overlooked and sometimes not even considered when deciding on a new family member. So, are you looking to adopt a pet soon but you aren’t sure if you should get a young little fella or an older wise one? This blogpost will hopefully help you with your decision! 

There are a lot of upsides to adopting a senior pet. The biggest one is that they have passed and outgrown their hyper and destructive phase. This doesn’t mean that senior pets can’t be playful, but they are definitely on the calmer, more reserved side compared to younger pets. This is why senior pets are usually preferred for people who are a bit older or people who generally live a calm lifestyle. 

Next is the fact that a lot of the basic skills have already been taught. For instance, potty training won’t be needed when introducing your pet to their new environment. Older pets already know that, when it’s time to go, they’ll know to go outside. This saves the adopter a lot of time and stress. This doesn’t mean that senior pets can’t learn new things! You can always teach them new things outside of the basics. 

Every adoption agency is against breeding. There are currently too many unwanted pets looking for homes. Therefore, adoption centers and facilities practice population control. This means senior pets will already be spayed, neutered and oftentimes fully vaccinated with the core vaccines, including rabies. This will save you a lot of unnecessary costs. 

Lastly, consider yourself a hero! Way too many pets get abandoned and euthanized after failing to find a home. Every pet deserves to stay at a loving and caring home for the remainder of their years. The love you are bound to share might even inspire others to go out and adopt a senior pet themselves.

sources:

Foust, M. (2023, March 2). Local animal shelters give senior pets a second chance during Senior Pet Month – Webster Journal. Webster Journal. https://websterjournal.com/2022/11/06/local-animal-shelters-give-senior-pets-a-second-chance-during-senior-pet-month/ 

Hospital, O. R. A., & Hospital, O. R. A. (n.d.). 10 reasons senior doggos are the best. Orchard Road Animal Hospital. https://www.orchardroadanimalhospital.com/services/dogs/blog/10-reasons-senior-doggos-are-best 

BC SPCA. (2024, January 5). Senior animals make great pets. https://spca.bc.ca/news/senior-animals-make-great-pets/