It’s time.  You’re ready for a new, four-legged family member.  But choosing the right pet to adopt among the numerous sizes, breeds, ages, and species available can be as tricky as teaching a hound how to tango.  And keeping your composure isn’t going to be easy either.  You have to hold your feelings for furry friends in check while you figure out what pet best fits your needs, and your lifestyle.  Your first step?  Make a list.  In fact, make three.

List#1

The first list is your absolute musts for your pet, the basic requirements you need to be happy with a new friend:

• Are you looking for a running partner or a couch potato?
• Would you enjoy a long, silky coated feline requiring daily grooming or a short coat for your hiking pal?
• A lap cat, or an aloof presence in the window?

Think about your hopes for your relation with your pet, so that you do not get distracted when you walk into the shelter or while falling in love with available pet photos online.

List #2

The second list is your pet must nots, based on your personal preferences and life situation:

• My new pet must not shed
• My new pet must not be aggressive, especially with small children
• My new pet must not bark a lot
• My pet must not be over a certain weight, or size
• My new pet must not be afraid to be left alone for long periods of time while I’m at work

List #3

Now it’s time to think about what you have to offer to an adoptable pet:

• If you are thinking about adopting a dog, how many hours of activity a day can you offer your dog? Will there be daily walks and games of fetch, or more in home fun and activities?
• Do you prefer to do agility training, obedience training or do you want a pet someone else has already trained?
• Think about how much time, energy and financial resources you have to dedicate to caring for a pet. When will you go on walks, or will you rely on the yard for a potty or puppy pee pads?
• When you go away, who will feed kitty and ensure his water is fresh?

Got your three lists?  Good!  Now spend a little time to do some research into the species and type of breeds to get an idea of which pet is more likely to be a match. Check out breed books and training books, and talk to friends about their experiences. You may end up with a mixed breed with a little bit of this trait and a little bit of that habit, but it is still handy to have some idea what tendencies to expect.

Finally…Fall in Love!

Take your lists and visit your local animal shelter or rescue, and look for the dog, cat, rabbit or reptile of your dreams. Many animal shelters and rescues provide pet adoption counseling, so they can help you figure out which animal in their care best matches your “lists”.  At most shelters and rescues you can also bring in the entire family to ensure a good match and discuss tactics for introducing your new pet into the household successfully.

Now the only list you’ll have to worry about is the grocery list!  So go and enjoy the company of your new furry, forever friend.