Photo courtesy of Jenniver Nieva.So what kind of pet are you into? Cat? Dog? Fish? If you’re renting, you need to ask your landlord whether you’re allowed to have pets because most of them don’t allow it (especially dogs). Fish and birds are usually okay but it’s still wise to seek permission. Some home owners aren’t allowed to have four-legged pets if they live in a villa type or townhouse.
If you want a cat or dog, there are a couple of options on where to get them. It’s preferable to save them from the pound – it’s cheaper and you’re saving the lives of animals. You only pay around $250 for the vaccination and microchip of the animal. They also help you pick one that is ideal and suitable for your lifestyle. These animals do have some ‘issues’ since some of them probably have been maltreated while young so be prepared to give them some great TLC.
Buying animals from pet shops are quite easy but they are also quite expensive. Be prepared to fork out around $700 for a dog or cat and around $200 for the ‘accessories’ (it depends if you want your animal to be as posh as Paris Hilton’s). You need to equip your house with the basic necessities such as feeding bowls, food, treats, shampoo, flea treatment, worm treatment, collar, lead, shelter if it’s an outdoor animal, sleeping cushion, brush, toys and winter wear … among other things. You also have to consider whether it’s an indoor pet or outdoor pet because you might need to buy a paddle pad for them if they’re indoors. That way you can train them to go to the toilet in one spot and make it easy to clean up. And if you have a dog, don’t forget to check out training classes for you and your pet, that way they learn some good behaviour and erase the horrible attitudes they got from the past (if they’re from the pound).
As for getting a fish, just drop by an aquarium shop and ask about their range. It really depends how much effort you want to put into it. There are fish types which are very easy to maintain. Just drop some food and clean their tank and they’re fine. However, there are complicated environments such as tropical tanks that will require constant checking of bacteria level, ammonia, pH level and heat level.
The best thing to do is ask your pet store what to do next. And make sure you have a vet clinic close by because you will definitely need it, even if you pick a hamster or a lizard for a pet. It might also be worth getting pet insurance if you have several pets (ask your vet about the different types of pet insurance).