Looks can be deceiving!

In my work as an animal behaviour consultant I see many cases where people make inappropriate decisions when choosing their pet, basing their decision on looks alone. While most people find puppies and kittens simply irresistible, many do not stop to think; how well will this animal fit in with my lifestyle when it’s fully grown? Choosing the right breed or breed type is more important than most people think and can minimise the chances that the pet will end up in a shelter later in life.

Consideration must be given for characteristics such as size at maturity, coat length, exercise and nutritional requirements. In addition, owners need to take into account how much time they will have available to provide companionship, training (if they want a dog), grooming and exercise. Adults are often easier to care for than puppies or kittens because they are already toilet trained and have passed the destructive juvenile stage. An added bonus is that many dogs already know some basic obedience. For people looking for a pet that is less fuss from the onset, a shelter cat or dog may be the most appropriate choice.

Research (and lots of it) is the key to deciding on the most appropriate pet to suit your lifestyle, budget and living situation. Reading books, surfing the internet and joining chat groups is a great place to start. Select-a-pet is an online questionnaire that can help you select an appropriate cat or dog for your lifestyle. See SELECTAPET for more information. Also consider speaking to breeders and people who own the breed or breed type you are considering. The more knowledge you gain on the particular type of pet you are interested in, the more informed your decision will be and the greater the likelihood that you and your new pet will be a perfect match!