When it comes to welcoming a new pet into your home, there really is a lot to consider. From breed-specific issues to pet nutrition, here’s a quick look at what you need to enquire about when adopting from a rescue organisation.
Things to consider before adopting a new pet:
1. Is your lifestyle and home suitable for this pet?
Pups and kittens mature into adult pets quickly and require lots of exercise, food, healthcare, attention, and most of all, love. You’ll need to consider if your finances and free time can provide for all these needs before adopting. Do you have enough space for your new pet? Is there space for them to sleep? Will you have time to train and play with your pet? These considerations might also impact the type of animal you adopt and which breed or size you’re comfortable with.
2. Which breed should you adopt?
Perhaps you can talk to breeders, rescue organisations or even your vet to get some advice on this topic. While some breeds need a lot of exercise, others are perfectly happy with low-key physical activities. Large breeds need open spaces while others will happily stay indoors in smaller spaces. It really is worth spending some time researching breeds so that you’re sure you’re making the right decision.
3. Where to adopt from?
We’re all for adopting from rescue organisations, but this can also be done through a breeder. South Africa is home to an amazing variety or rescue organisations, so if a specific breed is important to you, we encourage you to get in touch with breed-specific rescue organisations that can help you give one of their animals a forever home. Regardless of where you adopt from, it’s important to ask questions about your new pet’s age, vaccinations, and vet visits.
4. What supplies will you need?
The market is flooded with pet products so it’s easy to get carried away with toys and treats for your new pet. Here’s a quick look at the basic list of essentials you will need:
- Quality pet food – Not all pet foods are created equal. We always recommend consulting with your vet and investing in the best quality foods you can afford. Obviously, the food also needs to be breed and age-specific.
- A comfy bed – This really doesn’t have to be anything fancy. A standard doggy bed will do just fine as long as you keep your pet’s size in mind when making the purchase.
- A collar – Although not everyone is keen on fitting their dogs with collars it’s good if your dog gets comfortable with the idea early on.
