IS YOUR FAMILY READY FOR A PET?

BY ROBYN WHEELER

If you are a parent of a small growing child, you will one day, undoubtedly, hear "Mom, can I have a dog?" or "Dad, can have a hamster?" Whether you purchase a $1,000.00 purebred Poodle, a couple of goldfish for under a dollar or something in between, you should ask yourself a few simple questions before taking the pet "plunge". The answers to these questions will not only help you decide if a pet is right for your family but might even help you narrow down your choices to that one special creature.

1. Do you have the time, space and money for a pet? All pets cost money, require your time and need space in your house or yard. Some pets need more of these things than others. For instance, to keep a horse you will need to live on acreage or rent a stall at a nearby stable. Horses also require new shoes about every six weeks and preventative treatment for intestinal parasites and irregular wear and tear on their teeth. A large dog like a Great Dane will require a good size yard and plenty of exercise whereas a hamster or a few hermit crabs only need a small cage that can sit on a dresser in your child's room. All dogs and cats will require yearly veterinary exams and vaccinations whereas lizards and tarantulas do not. The upkeep of your pet will always exceed the cost of the actual pet itself. Depending on the type of pet you choose, you will need to provide many or all of the following items on a regular basis for the life of your pet: food, food bowls, water bottles, bedding, housing , hot rocks, exercise wheels, toys and daily exercise, grooming and attention. This is by no means a complete list.

2. Will your family still want the pet five years from now? Small rodents like hamsters and mice have a life span of only two to three years whereas most breeds of dogs and cats will live past 10 years of age. Large parrots may live past 75 to 100 years old and some reptiles can live between 20 and 30 years. Will your son or daughter still want to care and provide for Fluffy, Rufus or Slinky in five, ten or twenty years from now?

3. What will you do with your pet when you go on vacation? If your family is embarking on a two week getaway to Hawaii, it is probably best to leave Fido behind. When driving to your in-laws for the weekend just a few hours away, Slinky the Milk Snake can probably tag along. At some point and time, however, you will need to leave your beloved pet at home or have a friend or family member "babysit" for you. If you are unable to find a friend  or family member up for the challenge, professional petsitters are available for a nominal fee. A list of petsitters may be found in your local area phone book or online at www.petsit.com or www.petsitter.org. Remember to never leave any animal "home alone" without care while you are on vacation and never leave a pet in a locked car at anytime.

4. Will your children be caring for the pet? Many pets such as large parrots, iguanas and snakes are usually not suitable for young children. Children under the age of seven should be steered toward small animals that are safe to hold and easy to care for such as a hamster, parakeet, tortoise or small lizard like a Leopard Gecko. Older children and teenagers may be responsible enough to care for more complicated critters like a ferret, chinchilla, chameleon or pygmy hedgehog. All children should be supervised when handling and caring for any pet and always make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water after handling animals.

5. Use common sense and always do your research before purchasing a cute or creepy-crawly critter. Make sure to buy a book about your new snake, lizard or rodent and talk to a pet shop attendant or go online to learn about the care of the pet BEFORE you make a purchase. NEVER purchase wildlife believing it will make a good pet. Many animals such as alligators, foxes, raccoons, opossums, bats, owls and native Texas snakes are NOT suitable family pets. These animals may also be illegal to own without a permit from your city, county or state.

Article published December 2005 by www.aroundtownkids.com and February 2008 by www.Frisco-online.com

If you ever have any questions or concerns about your pet, its health or how to provide proper care for your pet, please contact your local pet store, animal shelter or veterinarian or contact The Creature Teacher at 903/451-1904 or 972/345-8544.

903/451-1904    972/345-8544

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