People don't own pets. Pets own their humans. Becoming the prize possession of furry friend can happen to anyone unexpectedly...

There you are, minding your own business when an adorable dog or puppy takes a liking to you. He watches your every move and his tail wags continuously because he's happy you're there. Or a kitty cat shows his pleasure when you scratch his ears by purring and rubbing up against you. It won't take long before you fall in love with this little creature, especially if you have kids. If this is an animal that needs a home, they're going to be part of your family soon. It's a great idea for you and the pet if you adopt a cat or dog that needs a home. Even though this sort of thing happens on the spur of the moment, you need to think it through before making the decision.

You shouldn't take the decision to adopt an animal lightly. It's a huge responsibility to take care of an animal full time for its whole life. You'll need to be able to provide time and attention to your pet on a regular basis. There's also a financial component. Your pet will need food, toys and veterinary care. Cats and dogs often live fifteen years. Birds and tortoises live even longer. Don't just think about the fun parts of owning a pet. You need to keep all the responsibilities in mind too before you make a decision to adopt.

Take some time to think about how much attention your pet is going to need from you. In general, dogs and birds require more attention than cats and tortoises. Be sure to train your pet. Pets enjoy the challenge of training as well as the interaction with you. And a well behaved pet is likely to be allowed indoors where it will get more attention. You can't just neglect to pay attention to your pet when you're bored with it.

One of the biggest time commitments is making sure your pet gets exercise. For a large dog, this means walks. Smaller pets may get enough exercise indoors if you play with them. Every day you will need to remember to feed them and make sure they have fresh water. Animal shelters are full of cats, dogs, rabbits and other pets because their owners underestimated the amount of time that would be required of them.

You'll also want to carefully consider whether you can afford to adopt this pet. The monetary cost of having a pet can be expensive, sometimes unexpectedly. The things that you know of include food, toys, spaying or neutering, shots, training, grooming, leashes, pet doors and beds. In addition to that you'll need to pay for veterinary care when your pet gets sick or injured. This may be very minor for your pet, but it could also get very expensive. Before you adopt a pet, you need to make sure that you are prepared for all of these costs.

When you see that adorable dog, cat, rabbit or other animal that needs a home, take some time to carefully think through your decision. Make sure you have the time and money to commit for the pet's entire expected lifespan. Otherwise your beloved pet will end up in a shelter looking for a new home.