The Most Important Questions You Should Ask Before Adopting A Pet

Are you considering bringing home an adopted pet for the first time? Pet adoption can be one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. All on your own, you are providing an animal with a second chance and a happy new home. That’s quite an accomplishment!

However, if you’re ready to bring home a new furry friend to keep you company, there are a few things to consider before you head to the shelter. Rather than bring home the first dog or cat that catches your eye, visit a few local shelters and interact with the animals. In addition, make sure you have all the information about your chosen pet, its breed, and proper care. To start, here are some important questions to ask before you bring home your new pet.

Does This Pet Have Any Medical Issues?

This is an important question, particularly if you are a first-time pet owner. Bringing home a dog or cat for the first time can be overwhelming, and frankly, pets with medical issues can be financially burdensome and difficult to care for. Consider whether you are truly willing to take on this burden before you bring home a pet. It’s a wonderful thing to offer a home to these needy pets, but consider your own capabilities first—for your sake, but also the animal's. The last thing you want to do is take home a pet, discover that you cannot provide or afford the level of care they need, and then end up sending them right back to a shelter. This causes the animal stress they really don't need.

If you’re a more experienced pet owner and you know you're up to the task, that’s great! However, make sure you do your research, speak with the shelter employees who are familiar with your chosen pet, and understand the care they'll need and what it will cost. Pets with medical problems can absolutely be fantastic pets, but you need to be ready to support them.

What Is This Animal’s Story?

Get some background information on the pet you are considering. Shelter and rescue workers tend to know their animals well, so they will likely be able to give you a lot of information about them. Try and find out what they know about where the animal came from and why it ended up in the shelter; also ask about any previous adoptions and why they didn’t work out. You’ll want to know the pet's potential behavioral problems when you take them into your home. Perhaps there was a problem with another animal in the home, or the pet didn’t do well with children. If this is the case, you’ll want to know about it before you get attached. You should never bring home a pet that has a problem with children if you have children in your home; it’s a recipe for disaster. Similarly, if you have a beloved family pet at home, you need to know if a potential pet has shown problems socializing with other dogs or cats. Beyond problematic behaviors, you'll also want to know about the animal's personality. For example, if you're looking to adopt a cat, ask if it tolerates petting or being picked up, if it has a favorite toy, and so on.

Similarly, you’ll want to ask about any history of abuse. Abused animals can display severe behavioral issues, and you will need to be prepared to deal with them. If the staff or foster family knows about any abuse history with the animal, have them fill you in. A history of abuse doesn’t automatically mean you shouldn’t adopt that pet; again, it’s a matter of whether you're prepared to provide the necessary extra love and care. This can be a major commitment depending on the severity and type of abuse the animal endured.

What Type Of Veterinary Care Has This Pet Had?

Get some information from the rescue or shelter on the vaccination history of the pet you are considering, as well as whether they have been spayed or neutered. Many shelters spay or neuter all adoptable dogs and cats as a matter of course, but double check to make sure. If not, you'll want to take care of vaccinations and spaying or neutering as soon as possible, and that can add to expenses. While you’re finding out about these issues, also ask about any history of illness or injuries. A formerly broken leg, past problems with heartworm—these are all pieces of information you’ll want to know before you bring your new pet home.

Worst Case Scenario: What If It Doesn’t Work Out?

No one wants to consider the fact that your new pet might not be a good fit, but it happens more often than you think. Ask the shelter or rescue about their policies for re-surrendering your new pet, and try to find out if they offer post-adoption support. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker if they don’t, but this extra line of help can really be a huge benefit if you find you’re having issues after bringing your pet home. Be prepared for the worst but hope for the best in this situation.