Choosing to have a new pet as part of your family is a big commitment and there are some important things to consider before making the decision to take on a dog or cat. Please consider your lifestyle and how your new pet is going to fit in.

• How much time do you have to devote to caring for a pet?
• How much human contact will it require and can you offer that?
• How will your new pet fit in with the other people and pets in your home?
• Do you have indoor and outdoor space which will meet your new pet’s needs?
• Who will care for your new pet when you go away?

It is also important to think about how long your pet is likely to live, for example, cats can often live to around twenty years old.  Pets are a serious and long-term commitment and it is important to think about the future and whether your future is likely to allow for the needs of the pet in time to come.

How much will it cost to keep?

An important part of the decision-making process is considering the ongoing costs of caring for your new pet:

• There’ll be initial costs to get things set up like bedding and other essentials such as collars/leads (dogs), litter trays (cats) and toys
• Don’t forget food and regular treatments for fleas and worms which you can purchase from your vet
• Then you need to remember annual costs like the booster vaccination
• And finally you may want to think about insurance to help meet the cost of illness or injury which can be quite substantial

Whether you choose dog or cat it’s not a responsibility to be taken lightly. Do some research into the pet you are interested in and contact us for further advice.