Picking The Right Pet
...Adoptions counselors are available to help you find the right match for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
How much time do you have to dedicate to a pet?
How much time do you have to train a pet?
How active is your lifestyle?
Do you value your furniture and rugs, or are you planning on replacing them in a few years anyway?
Are you adopting for you, or is this pet for someone else?
Are you ready to commit to the lifetime of your new pet?
Many families come to the shelter to adopt a puppy because the children have been begging for a dog for years. After spending time with an adoption counselor, many families decide that adopting an older pet that is easier and faster to train than a puppy is more suitable for their needs. Many families with young children often realize that a teething puppy or rambunctious young dog isn't what they want near their infant or toddler.
Some people want a cuddly cat who will purr in their laps, and others specifically want a cat that is independent and loves other cats. Kittens are always adorable, but choosing an adult with a personality that matches the adopter's needs is sometimes better than choosing a kitten whose personality when grown is unpredictable.
For those who are prepared for the joys, challenges and surprises of "puppyhood" and "kittenhood," we often have these pets available for adoption. Since these pets are usually adopted very quickly, we offer the Special Companions program to members to assist you in your adoption search.
There is a matching pet for everyone. We hope this information has been helpful, and we look forward to providing adoption counseling to you as a free service when you are ready to adopt a pet. Please visit us during regular shelter animals or email us at info@njshelter.org
Size of the Pet
Many families come to the shelter in...
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