Before you get a pet

What to consider before deciding to adopt a companion animal:

• Changes in your life which may influence your willingness or ability to keep the animal, such as extended overseas travel, having children, changing homes to a place not suited to animals, change of jobs, financial security or ongoing ability to exercise the animal.
• Are you willing to care for the animal for the lifetime of the animal?
• Are you willing to regularly exercise the animal to minimise boredom related problems?
• Can you afford the ongoing costs such as purchase, vaccination, registration, microchipping, veterinarian accounts, food and upkeep?
• Will your partner or family be committed to keeping the animal?
• How big is the place where you live? Has it got an adequate exercise area?
• If your yard fenced?
• Have you got particularly sensitive neighbours?
• How big an animal should you acquire?
• What are the needs of the individual breed? Is it susceptible to certain health problems which could be costly? Is it likely to want a lot, or little exercise? Is it likely to be aggressive? Are they good with children?
• Do you live near sensitive bushland or native species habitat?
• Is this just a fad? Do you really want the commitment?
• Has it been microchipped yet, and what will be the cost?
• If you already have animals, do you have enough space for another one?