If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is the easy part. With their darling faces and need for a home, they just melt our hearts so readily.
Adding a furry companion to your family can be one of life's greatest joys, but it is important to thoroughly consider what it means to adopt a dog for life!
Adopting a dog is a big decision and requires you to commit time, money, and care for throughout their life.
Before you apply to become an approved adopter, we recommend working through these 10 questions to figure out if you're really, truly ready for a dog in your life!
WHY DO YOU WANT A DOG?
Think about what you are looking to do with your dog or what you hope it adds to your life. Adopting a dog has to be more than feeling like a "thing to do."
DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR DOG?
How much free time do you have based on your current routine? Where would a dog fit in? Consider whether you'll have the time necessary to train a dog, give it attention, daily walks, and so on.
CAN YOU AFFORD A DOG?
There is the initial adoption fee to consider, but there are also a slew of supplies you'll need to purchase, like a crate, bowls, toys, bed, and food. There will be routine medical expenses, like annual exams and staying current on vaccinations, but there may also be unexpected medical expenses down the line.
DO YOU HAVE PATIENCE FOR A DOG?
Dogs are not perfect and many need some time to get used to their new home and routine, which means they might have an accident in the home, chew on something they shouldn't, or ingest a foreign object that may require emergency surgery!
IS YOUR HOME A PLACE FOR A DOG?
For renters, you will need to check your lease or speak to your landlord to ensure that the dog you're considering is allowed and what (if any) fees may be associated.
For homeowners, you may need to ensure that you have proper fencing and remove hazards before adding a fluffy bundle of joy to your life. If you have a homeowners' association, you may need to check if there are any breed restrictions.
DOES YOUR LIFESTYLE ALIGN WITH THE DOG?
If you love to be outdoors, whether that's walking, running, or hiking, and plan to take your dog with you, make sure that the dog has a similar activity level as you!
On the flip side, if you want to just snuggle up with your fur-ball and binge the newest Netflix show, make sure the dog you're consider adopting is a couch potato, too!
WHO WILL CARE FOR YOUR DOG WHILE YOU'RE AWAY?
You might want to take a vacation and need to leave your four-legged friend behind. It's good to have a plan on who can take care of them or where they can stay when you're gone.
An emergency could occur and having a plan is crucial!
WILL YOU BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER?
We cover the cost of spaying/neutering each of our dogs prior to finalizing adoption. We also ensure they are up-to-date on vaccinations and are microchipped.
Responsible dog owners need to keep their dog's vaccinations up-to-date for the life of their dog. There are also licensing requirements that depend on the county you reside in.
ARE YOU PREPARED TO COMMIT TO YOUR DOG FOR ITS LIFETIME?
Labradors have a typical life expectancy of 10 to 12 years but some live as long as 15 years. You need to feel comfortable committing to providing love, care, training, and keeping up with medical expenses for your dog's lifetime.
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