There are many benefits from getting a pet. It's been proven that we as humans actually lead longer and happier lives whenever we have a pet. For those of you who already have pets and are just reading this out of curiosity or to see how much of my article you agree with, I'm sure that many of you agree that you see your pet as a family member.
This of course brings the issue of if you get a pet such as a
puppy, they don't live as long as you and then you're faced with losing a family member. It's a devastating loss and the exact reason why growing up, I wasn't allowed a pet. I don't believe in leading a life of fear like that though and I think that kids can be taught a valuable lesson from seeing the darker side of owning pets.
A lesson of valuing those around us, no matter how big or small. I guess cleaning up after a pet can be an almost equally valuable lesson of cleanliness and accuracy, as well as what a difference it makes when you're cleaning up after someone you love versus anyone else.
It's always important to remember that you should get a pet for life, because so many end up at the pound. Also, please don't forget to de-sex your pet
unless you are a qualified breeder planning to breed that pet. So many animals get put down yearly because of peoples' carelessness. Those of you who think it's cruel to de-sex - isn't it crueller to die or see your children die?
Either way, there are some tips around getting a pet. Firstly, you should consider whether or not you should be getting a pet at all. Do not get a pet if you live in a no pets building and are renting. If you live in a no pets building and own the place, try to arrange for a new by-law. There's nothing sadder than buying a pet and having to take it back because you can't look after it after all.
You also need to consider where you'll be purchasing your new family member from. Now, I suggest that you go to a pound because there are thousands of pets in need of homes. Many people want specific breeds of cat or dog, which leads me to believe that perhaps they want their pet for the wrong reasons as acceptable it is in society's eyes to do so.
The reason for me saying this is that many breeders, in order to keep the breed pure, unfortunately inbreed the animals and they don't live as long. There are some which take the time and effort to source animals from a different blood line but many that don't. I don't know how many of you have heard of
Dolly the Sheep, but that kind of thing happens with many pure-breed pets.
Many pet stores are great in that they sell animals from the pound, often kitties. I'm all for this practice and it's great that these animals are being exposed to a bigger market, but we all know that those ones will indeed be purchased.
This is why I think that if you truly love animals, you'll want to prevent them from being put down. Go to a pound and save a life. You can even search for animals online at websites like
PetRescue and
Dogs Across Australia. PetRescue also has search facilities to help you locate local pounds for adoption.
