Adopt a pet: Choose the right pet for your lifestyle

Adopt a pet

Choose the right pet for your lifestyle.

When choosing the right pet for your lifestyle, it's important to consider factors such as energy levels, dietary needs, required exercise, general medical concerns, and the right environment. All of these can affect your pet's health and well-being, as well as your ability to take good care of them.

Your personality and lifestyle, along with challenges such as space constraints and time spent at home, should be examined to determine which pet is right for your family. Research the different breeds and seek advice from shelter staff - they are experts at finding the perfect pair!

Protect your pet from injury.

When transporting an injured pet to the veterinarian, use a stretcher (you can use a plank or other solid surface as a stretcher, or a throw or blanket as a sling). If possible, secure the pet on a stretcher for transport (make sure you are not putting pressure on the injured area or on the pet's chest) - this can be as simple as wrapping a blanket around it.

Whether it's tightly sealing trash cans or keeping an eye out for dangerous decorations for the holidays, you need to keep your home safe from adoption. This includes keeping poisonous foods, pet-unfriendly plants and dangerous household items out of the reach of your paws. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare your home to welcome a new canine or feline companion.

Consider adopting a pet.

The decision to adopt a pet is a major one and shouldn't be made on a whim, especially considering how many pets are placed in animal shelters each year -- just 6.5 million cats and dogs. But don't worry, there are things aspiring pet owners can do to turn around this statistic, starting with choosing a pet that fits your lifestyle. While dogs and cats are great companions, there are many other animals just as lovingly awaiting their forever home. Whether you're a frequent traveler or a working parent of three, Pet Supplies Plus' pet expert Jay Springer is here to connect you with your next companion.

Considering adopting a dog or cat? You'll be hard-pressed to find an animal lover who can convince you to get out of this situation, especially me, the mother of two amazing rescue dogs and a beloved late rescue cat. But let's be honest: all three pets have challenges that I'm not ready for. My cat ended up developing chronic health issues that resulted in her needing frequent medical care that I could barely afford as a broke college student. My oldest dog, which I had as a kid, was fine with my first landlord but was often seen as a problem by future landlords and future roommates. My second dog, a totally stupid sweetheart, has severe separation anxiety and when we leave the house we have to lock it up which means my husband and I can't go out for very long unless he has nanny.