10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Pet

Which shelter pet is right for you and your significant other? We've got the scoop -- straight from the ASPCA.

By MaryAnn Barone for TheNest.com

Crossbreeds shouldn't be shunned.
About 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy -- meaning the majority of pets are super-cute crossbreeds. What does this mean for you? Crossbreeds tend to be healthier than purebreds because they're more genetically diverse. Purebreds may have issues like hip dysplasia and respiratory problems -- which are much less likely with crossbreeds.

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Don't assume pets at shelters are "bad."
The number-one reason cited for pet relinquishment at animal shelters is moving, says Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) pet adoption center. It's important to recognize that pets aren't there because they're unloved, unwanted or inherently bad; they're there because of larger issues beyond their control. "Animals are given up through no fault of their own," Buchwald says. "We can't and shouldn't blame the animal for being homeless."

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Know that looks aren't everything.
A common misconception among potential pet owners is that you can categorize pets based on their appearance. But don't judge a dog by its looks; even when it comes to size, individual personality is more important. For example, Jack Russell terriers have those irresistible puppy faces, but they may be very energetic, need lots of exercise and can be excessive barkers. Many shelters do behavioral assessments, which can tell you more about the breed and the specific animal you're looking at. Ask about the results of this test to see if that particular pet is the best fit for you.

Ask the right questions.
Once you're at a shelter, make sure to ask specific questions about the animal's background. Some important ones to include:

-Has the animal had any medical conditions?
-Do animals come with a collar and a custom tag?
-What does the adoption include?
-Are the pets microchipped?
-Are cats and dogs spayed or neutered?
-What's the animal's behavior like?
-How has this specific pet performed in behavioral assessments?
-What do you know about the animal's history? Or the family it came from?

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Talk it through thoroughly with your SO or DH.
Talk about what you expect out of each other and the animal. Whether you plan to delegate tasks or share a certain role, map out how each of you will be a part of your pet's life. You should discuss things like:

-Who will be the primary caregiver?
-Who's going to do the walking and exercising?
-Who's in charge of training?
-Who's going to buy the food?

Realize that it's an LTR.
Would you buy the first house you saw or drive the first car you test-drove off the lot? Didn't think so. Big decisions take some thinking over, so don't rush into getting the first dog or cat you see (no matter how cute and fluffy they seem). Pets are up there with home and car purchases because they're a long-term commitment, Buchwald says. For example, she says a small dog might live 15 years, while a larger dog might live 10. Cats can live up to 15 or 20 years. Know before you go that you're looking for a good match and that you're in it for the long haul.

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Make sure you can actually afford a pet.
Having a pet is a big financial responsibility. Whereas adopting a bird or fish might cost a few hundred dollars the first year, a dog or cat can run more than $1,000. To determine if you have sufficient funds for a Fido (or any other animal, for that matter), check out the ASPCA's pet care costs chart. Analyze your budget to see where a pet fits in with your finances.

Recognize that animals need interaction.
Much like humans, pets need playtime and exercise as part of a well-rounded life. When pooches are underexercised, they'll try to relieve that excess energy -- often in the form of chewing. Not only do walks give them exercise, but they also provide mental stimulation in the form of sights and sounds and socialization with people and other animals. It's important that dogs learn to recognize unfamiliar things outside the home (loud trucks, running children) so that they're comfortable and relaxed around those things in the future.

How to pick the perfect pet

Shelters have a wider variety of animals than you think.
Shelters can offer much greater diversity than breeders can. Breeders often raise baby animals and then just send them off to buyers. But not every home (or every person, for that matter) wants an animal that still needs to be housebroken, socialized and trained. Shelters take in adults as well as puppies, kittens and other younger animals. And choosing a pet is a big decision, so realize that it doesn't have to be a one-stop shop. From colors (you really want a calico with specific colors) to sizes (midsize Lab mixes, anyone?), know that you might have to travel to a few shelters before you find what you're looking for.

Dogs can be kid-friendly if you're TTC.
TTC or just thinking long-term? Finding a kid-friendly pooch doesn't have to be hard. Many shelters do a toddler test, which involves seeing how a dog reacts to a lifelike doll. Buchwald says a dog's true behavior of how he'll act around a child is predictive within the first one to two seconds of catching sight of that toddler doll. Typical toddler behaviors like crying, high-pitched screams and sudden movements can set a dog off, so ask ahead of time if the shelter performs this kind of assessment.

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