CHOOSE AN ANIMAL THAT FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE, YOUR HABITAT, YOUR TIME CONSTRAINTS, AND YOUR CHECKBOOK.
ANIMALS ARE NOT TEMPORARY. DO NOT GET ONE IF YOU CANNOT COMMIT TO LIFETIME CARE.
Those of us who commit to life time care are in danger of losing our rights to keep animals of any kind, exotic or domestic.
There are always going to be animals in need of "new homes" due to families who were stricken by some disaster that makes it impossible to keep them, just as there will always be children in need of foster homes. Please do not exacerbate the problem because you "want it right now", with no regard as to whether you can provide for it in the future.
Before you get ANY kind of an animal, ask yourself these questions:
(1) Have I researched the life-span, care, feeding, enrichment, habitat and licensing requirements?
(2) After researching #1, can I provide this for the expected life of the animal? (Do you own your home? Is there a reasonable chance you could lose your job or move to another city?)
(3) Do I have time for the animal?
(4) Do I want the animal to interact with? (If the answer is to look at and show off, please get a plant.)
(5) If I had to choose between a new car or my pet, would I choose the pet? (If not, get the car and forget the pet.)
(6) Can I afford the animal? (Is there a reasonable chance my finances could nose-dive during the animal's lifespan?)
(7) If a new (a) child, (b) grandchild, (c) spouse, (d) pet, (e) other came into my family, would I still want this animal? (An animal accustomed to being part of the family should not be relegated to a cage it would never be happy in.)
(8) If I come home and find my new shoes, furniture or other worldly goods chewed to pieces, will I call a trainer for solutions rather than (a) becoming violent or (b) getting rid of the pet?
(9) Would I change my plans, my lifestyle, or give up worldly goods for the animal's welfare? (10) Do my (a) state, (b) county, (c), city (d) subdivision regulations permit keeping this animal? (Would my neighbors be happy to see this animal arriving in the neighborhood?)
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