- 1). Research cat or dog breeds to decide which one best suits your family's lifestyle and needs. Find out if anyone in your family has cat or dog allergies.
- 2). Discuss responsibilities and schedules before your new pet arrives. Make written agreements with children requiring them to feed, scoop poop and walk or exercise the animal. Be very realistic about your ability to give a dog the amount of exercise it requires.
- 3). Set some boundaries and show young children how to handle and talk to their pet. Decide before a paw crosses your threshold exactly where the dog or cat will be allowed (for example, the family room but not the living room) and what it will be allowed to do once it gets there (maybe your furniture is off-limits).
- 4). Prepare the house and yard. Houses have to be pet-proofed so that the animal won't hurt itself or break something valuable. Keep puppies in a confined space while you're house-training them. Get rid of any toxic plants in your house, and remove or fence in such plants in your yard.
- 5). Buy food and equipment. A litter box and scratching post should be awaiting kitty at home; bring a collar and leash or a pet carrier when you go to pick up the animal.
- 6). Decide on the optimum time to bring the pet home. A long weekend would be best. You don't want to pick up a kitten or puppy Sunday night and leave it alone Monday while you work all day and the kids are at school.
- 7). Line up a vet. Ask friends for recommendations. You'll want to take your new family member in for a checkup right away. It may need additional shots. And puppies will need dog tags; consider having a microchip implanted in case your cat or dog ever gets lost.
- 8). Sign up your whole family for a dog-training class. It's far easier to teach good habits than to unlearn bad ones--that goes for the dog as well as the humans. Contact your community center or ask friends for recommendations.
- 9). Avoid surprise pets. Never give or receive a pet on impulse. Both cats and dogs require regular attention, food and exercise and should be chosen by the owner, not by a well-meaning friend or family member. Remember, they'll be with you for their whole life--as long as 20 years.