BEFORE YOU ADOPT A PET
Before you commit to being responsible for a new pet, it’s essential to consider the following.
WHY DO YOU WANT A PET?
It’s important to ask yourself this question if you are thinking about welcoming a furry friend into your home.
Take time to consider what’s important to you in a companion animal. Before you visit, list what you want, what you don’t want, and what you can compromise on–before you even look. A little pre-thought will go a long way to ensuring a good fit for both parties.
Due to the increased quality of care, nutrition and other factors, the life expectancy of companion animals are longer than in previous decades, so your new companion may be with you for 15+ years.
ALSO CONSIDER
WHAT TYPE OF PET ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Whether you’re looking for an energetic canine companion to join you on your morning jog, or a laid-back feline friend to laze with you on the couch, it is essential to research what animal will suit your lifestyle. Royal Canin has all the breed information you need.
DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR A PET?
Dogs, cats, and other animal companions want to be part of your family. They require daily food, water, exercise, care, and companionship. Shelters often receive animals because their family don’t realise how much time it takes to care for them.
CAN YOU HAVE A PET WHERE YOU LIVE?
Many rental properties don’t allow pets; others usually have a 10 kg weight limit. Make sure you know what they are before you adopt.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO ADOPT A BIRD?
Birds are fascinating and beautiful creatures – they’re intelligent, social animals. But they are not easy-care pets and need plenty of attention.
Life alone in a cage is no life for a bird. Before you add a feathered friend to your family, make sure you’re willing to spend time with your bird each day. In the wild, birds are flock animals, so if you’re thinking about getting a bird, you might think about getting two.
In nature, birds cover a large amount of territory, so they are not suited to life in a small cage. At a minimum, a bird’s cage should be the width of at least four wing spans. The cage must be large enough so that they can spread their wings fully and fly from one side to the other. If there’s a room in your house where your birds can safely be let out during the day, a smaller cage to sleep in is adequate.
Some birds are also a lifetime commitment; many types of parrots can live 50 years or more.
If you’re thinking about adopting a feathered family member, there are some details you should know about their care:
- You’ll need to spend time interacting with your bird outside their cage daily.
- You’ll need to provide some enrichment for your bird, such as safe natural toys and contact with other family members or other birds.
- Most people don’t realise that birds are messy. You’ll need to clean their space daily, including their play area and any other places in the house where they play.
- A bird requires a very complex and varied diet, which you’ll need to prepare every day.
To learn more about bird care click here.
COULD YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR KNOWLEDGE?
Our team are invested in every animal they help and want to find a home that will work best for all parties. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about a specific animal.
As a trusted, local animal welfare organisation, we’ve compiled tips, tricks and resources to help you take the best care of your pet.
