Adopting a Family Pet in Englewood, Colorado: The Wheres, Hows, and Whys

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Your little girl comes to you with big puppy dog eyes and excitement in her face. It's unmistakable! You know what she wants - a pet. Whether your family is looking to adopt a cat, dog, rabbit, or other animal, there are many things you will need to consider. Is a pet right for your family? What type? Where can you adopt a pet in Englewood, CO?

What is Your Family Routine?

First and foremost, you need to see if proper pet care will fit into your family's daily routine. Is there time to walk a dog? Would said dog be included in trips to Englewood parks with the kids? Time to amuse a cat with a string of yarn? Time to brush and groom? Would a pet have plenty of time with family members for love and care or would they just be an afterthought or another cool object your child will later ditch for something else? If it's the latter two, you can scratch getting a pet off your list.

What are Your Reasons for Wanting to Adopt a Pet?

Does your family just want a particular pet just to say you have one - or do you have a genuine interest in bringing in a new family member. Cats and dogs (and any other animals) are not toys. They are living creatures with feelings. If your reasons for having them don't include providing a loving, caring home, your family shouldn't be adopting a pet. It's alright if one reason is that they are cute. But don't forget that a new pet is the same as a new family member.

How Responsible are Your Kids?

Can you trust your kids to take care of a pet properly all the time? If not, will you be doing it? Pets are a big responsibly. Yes, they are cute and cuddly and playful and fun. But, they are also a ton of work when cared for the right way. If you adopt a pet, can your family handle the responsibility? If you have any doubts, it's much better not to adopt than it is to take in a pet that may later end up in an Englewood shelter. That's not fair to the pet - and it's also not fair to your family.

Can You Handle the Expenses?

In addition to the adoption fees, there is also the constant fee of food, treats, toys, and more. Don't forget to add vet bills into your budget too. Just like your kids need to go to the doctor regularly, so do animals. If by chance, something unforeseen happens with their health, will you be able to afford medicines, surgeries, or whatever else it may take?

Just like you probably calculated expenses when you brought a new baby into the world, you need to do the same with a pet. If you are already scraping to get by now, it's best not to bring a pet into your home. Doing so would possibly be like taking food from the mouths of your kids and it's also not fair to bring a pet into a situation where each day is unsure. Love them from a distance until your financial situation (and other factors) allow better care.

Do Your Kids Know How to Treat Animals?

If your child is the one going around pulling the tails of other people's cats, he needs some instruction before you bring an animal into the home. Even if you have not seen evidence of the kids mistreating animals, it's always a good idea to have a talk about proper animal care. Many pet shelters and stores offer instruction to families looking to adopt a pet. This is to ensure that everyone knows what is good for a pet and what is not.

Where is the Best Place to Adopt a Pet in Englewood, CO?

Animal shelters are generally the best place to adopt pets. Why? You are rescuing an animal that may not otherwise survive. Most animals in shelters have been rescued from sort of unfit situation. Pet shelter animals generally come with their vaccinations and are often spayed or neutered. Some will even microchip your pet.

All of these things would cost extra time and money and they are part of what you would need to do anyway - outside of the microchip. That's obviously a personal choice. The benefit to having one is that if your pet is lost and turned into a shelter, they can scan the pet and know you are the owner. However, some people do not like to have a device implanted in their pet - and that's fine too. It's a personal choice.

Animals for Adoption in the Englewood, CO area

Animal Rescue and Adoption Society
http://www.arascolorado.org/
2390 S. Delaware Street
Denver, CO 80223
Phone: (303) 744-6076

Denver Dumb Friends League
http://www.ddfl.org/
2080 South Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80231
(303) 751-5772

Colorado Animal Welfare League
http://coloradoanimalwelfare.org/
PO Box 1071
Englewood, CO 80150
(720) 515-CAWL(2295)

*I originally published a version of thisvia Yahoo Contributor Network