There are a variety of reasons why individuals choose to own a pet.  Some are altruistic, some are understandable, and some are thoughtless and selfish.  If we gave more thought as to why we do what we do, we would be wiser and less prone to, often costly, mistakes.

Some people adopt a pet because they are compassionate individuals and feel they would be good pet owners.  They also want to do what they can to help the tremendous number of unwanted animals that are euthanized every year due to lack of spaying and neutering and cruel breeding practices.  Other people adopt a pet because they are lonely and simply want a friend.  Others may want a pet to protect their family or property.  Others adopt a pet because they grew up with a pet, understand them, and are capable of giving them a good hope.  Others want a companion for their children,  or want to breed a pet so their children can witness a birth.

For whatever reason  a pet is adopted, the owner should realize that once the pet is in their care, they are also assuming some heavy responsibilities.  Some responsibilities may be costly, and others time consuming.  These responsibilities remain the owner’s throughout the lifetime of the pet.

First the owner is responsible for the day to day care of the pet.  This means providing food, fresh water,  a warm dry bed, collars, leashes and toys.  It also means medical care, exercise, training, and love.

Good dogfood, the kind that provides proper nutrition is costly.  If your pet’s food is of excellent quality, your pet will be healthier and live a long and happy life.  Good food guarantees that your animal will have fewer health problems and your medical expenses will be significantly less.  Poor quality, or cheap food, guarantees that your pet will have more intestinal problems, less resistance to disease and a poor quality of skin, coat, and teeth.  Good food pays for itself.  Dogbeds, collars, leashes, and toys will need to be purchased and also replaced, over the years, as your dog grows and ages.  Not just any toy will do.  Many simply come apart, have no play value and are outright dangerous to your pet.  It is a wise option to have your pet’s name and phone number on his/her collar and/or leash.  In a cold climate, as your pet grows older or if his coat is thin, he may need a coat in winter and a raincoat when it rains.

Pets also need occasionally grooming, bathing, clipping, stripping, and nail cleaning.

Dogs who travel in cars should have seat belts.  Cats should have in-car kennels

If you want to holiday on your own, you will have to board your pet.  Good boarding facilities are not cheap.

Regular visit to the vet are essential.  Your pet will need vaccinations, not just when they are young, but throughout their lives.  All pets need annual checkups, flea treatments, and in some areas, year-round heartworm medication.  Pets need to be spayed or neutered, unless they are owned by a reputable breeder.  Notice the work ‘reputable’.  Pet owners who do not spay and neuter have no right to keep pets.  Ill pets need to receive immediate medical attention.  This is simple humane, but it prevents suffering and can prevent the development of even more costly illnesses.

If pets become ill, injured, or need surgery, this can be devastatingly expensive.  Are you willing and able to spend thousands of dollars on your pet in an emergency?  Think it over.

Pets need exercise, especially dogs.  This includes all pets large and small.  All dogs should have at least two twenty minute walks per day, rain or shine, whether you are tired or not.  Some active and larger breeds need up to an hour.  One long hike a week is not enough.  To the contrary, a long hike can be stressful and even injurious to a dog that is sedentary the rest of the week.  Dogs need a safe, fenced yard in which to play.  This is in addition to their walks.  Dogs, when in the yard, need to be supervised.  Left on their own they develop annoying habits such as digging and barking.  Dogs love to merely wander in their yard and sniff while you do yard work, but, if you play with your dog, you will develop an even stronger bond.

Dogs need to be trained.  Obedience training makes dogs more pleasant companions.  It also makes them safer and less annoying to neighbors and friends.  Group lessons are excellent as they help with socialization and provide good distraction.  Many pet owners make excellent trainers for their pets, while others may simply lack sufficient patience, time, or determination.  If you are one of these, invest in a good trainer.

Even if you think your pet’s annoying antics are adorable, others probably do not, so make sure you dog begins training while still a pup.

Another very important issue associated with training is the fact that at some time you may no longer be able to care for your pet, at which time, it will fall into the hands of a, hopefully human, adoption agency.  Anyone associated with pet adoptions, including the A.S.P.C.A knows only too well that a pet has a far better chance of finding a good home if it is trained and pleasant to be around.  Most pets are returned to these agencies because of unruly, noisy, unmanageable behavior.  So do your pet a favor and train it to become a pleasant tractable companion.

A final note on training, in fact, on all animal care.  Do not leave this to your children.  Children of all ages have their own lives and obligations.  If they help with pet care this is wonderful, but the adults in the household are ultimately responsible for pets.

Finally you are responsible for giving your pet love.  Pets give unconditional love to their owners, and deserve the same in return.  Pets, like children, thrive on love, and need it throughout their lives.  In fact, in many ways, pets are like children.  The main difference is that children grow up, become educated, get jobs, and become responsible for their own lives.  Pets are your responsibility from the time they first enter your life until the day they leave it.