Avoid a hairy situation with these recommendations on pet adoption.

When finding your fur-ever friend, many factors need to be considered, from your daily schedule to your disposable income. Adopting an animal comes with many responsibilities, but it is for you to decide if they outweigh the benefits. I adopted my cat from the Lee County Humane Society and could not imagine my life without him now. While he requires a lot of attention, I do not regret adopting him. When considering all the factors of adopting an animal, it can be the best decision ever.

Prepare for a ten-plus-year commitment

College only lasts so long, so you might need to consider what your life will look like in one, five, or ten years. Take into consideration that you will need to find pet-friendly rental options and roommates who are fine with animals. If you have a partner or know your future roommates, you might want to ask them how they feel about an animal and the responsibilities that come with it. Understand that this decision will affect future decisions.

It is also good to think about going home for the holidays and what you will need to do when you travel. Ask yourself questions like do you have other animals at home, how long is the drive, and is anyone allergic to them. Prepare yourself and have certainty that you will be able to properly take care of the animal for a long time.

Financially stable

Taking care of an animal is not cheap. When I got my cat, he needed a new litter box, bowls, beds, toys, food, and more. All of this was easily over one hundred dollars. Now that I have most of the basics, the expenses have gone down considerably. On average, I have to spend approximately 30 dollars a month just for food and litter.

Vet visits are the most expensive aspect of adopting an animal. You never know when your animal could get sick, so it is always something to consider. One time, I spent 300 dollars at the vet when my cat had an infected cut. Animals are subject to illness and issues — just like humans, and vet bills can get very expensive. Before adopting an animal, try budgeting the amount of money you would spend monthly to make sure you can manage it. Again, preparation is key in adopting an animal.

Time Commitment and Plans

Pets require a lot of time and effort. Ask yourself if you are willing to dedicate the time the animals need. Do you have a full-time job and classes? Are you always out of the house? Who else would take care of the animal if you do not have time that day? Pets need stimulation which can range from a laser pointer for a cat or a brisk walk with a dog.

Dogs need about 45 minutes to an hour of exercise a day, while cats need 30 minutes. Dogs need to be brought outside multiple times a day to use the bathroom, so this may be an issue if you live on a higher floor. It is also important to make sure you know what to do in an emergency. Make sure you can safely get your pet out in case of fire or tornado.

Cleanliness

Depending on the animal, pets can be very messy. Consider the people you live with, and how likely you are to clean up after your prospective pet. If you get a furry animal, it might shedding everywhere all the time. If you get a hyper animal, it might mess up furniture or knock over things.

There may be a couple of accidents here and there, especially if you are considering adopting a younger animal. All these things happen, just make sure you are ready and comfortable regularly cleaning up after your animal if need be. My cat sheds so much during the spring, so I decided to get an extremely helpful pet vacuum.

Adopting an animal is worth it

That said, this is not to discourage you from adopting an animal. I asked an employee at the Lee County Humane Society, and they said the number one reason animals are returned is owners cannot provide the right care. There are many things to consider, but most importantly you need to find an animal you will love. Owning a pet that you love will always outweigh the responsibilities. I love my cat so much and have no regrets about adopting him, even when he knocks over glasses and plants.

Adopting a pet is so rewarding. Studies show that college students manage stress better with an animal. If you want to adopt a pet but know you can’t properly care for it, you can always consider volunteering at local shelters or fostering an animal if you have time. Many options still involve you with animals until you feel ready to get your own.

I hope you find your forever furry friend!

Be Well, Auburn.