Four points to ponder

If you’re planning to bring a new pet into your home, here are some tips to guide you.
 

1. Looking for a purebred pet? Check the local shelter.

If you want a specific breed of cat, don’t overlook animal shelters. Of the millions of pets brought to shelters each year, many are pure breeds.

2. Match your pet to your lifestyle.

When deciding what species, size and breed of pet to adopt, it’s very important to consider lifestyle factors like the amount of space you have, how much time you spend at home, and the other people and pets who live with you. Do your homework to make sure your lifestyle will accommodate the needs of your new pet.

3. Consider the investment.

Pets need more than food, water and shelter. Cats need regular veterinary care including annual wellness exams and vaccinations. Can you afford the care a cat needs and deserves? What if your pet develops a health problem or is injured — will you be able to provide veterinary treatment? Health insurance is available for pets, so consider purchasing a policy for yours.
 

4. Prepare and petproof.

Before you adopt a new cat, make sure your home is pet-friendly and safe. For example, some houseplants are toxic to pets, so make sure yours are not. Many cats find open, accessible trash cans too tempting to resist, so keep your trash can out of reach or securely covered. And cats like to jump, so any furniture with a flat surface should be stable enough to support a leaping cat without tipping over.

Making your pet feel at home

A pet’s living environment is very important! Take a look around your home and try to envision it from a pet’s point of view. Are there small changes you could make that would improve the space for your cat?

For example, cats love to stretch out in sunny spots. Maybe there’s a window that lets in plenty of light, but a bookcase casts a shadow and allows only a sliver of sunshine to reach the floor. Could you move that bookcase over a few inches and enlarge the sunny spot? Even minor adjustments like this can make a difference to your pet.

Here are just a few of the things that may be overlooked when preparing your home for your new pet.

Cats need:

• Places to perch above floor level
• Windows to look out of
• Patches of sunshine to lay in
• Textured surfaces they’re allowed to scratch
• Hiding spots
• Toys — experiment to discover preferred types

Of course, this is only a partial list. Check out these online resources to learn more:

• http://www.adoptapet.com/
• http://www.aspca.org/adoption
• http://www.petfinder.com
• http://adoptions.petsmart.com/