Adopting a pet is such an exciting experience for you and your family.  We are fortunate at the Richmond SPCA to witness this excitement on a daily basis, and over the years, our experienced staff has helped unite thousands of pets with new parents.  This helps us assist adopters at our center with finding the perfect pet to match their lifestyles, and we’d love to share some of our tips to making sure this happens for you, too!

The biggest thing to consider is your expectation for a new pet in your home.  For example, my expectations for a new dog are that he gets along well with my other dog, loves my baby, is calm, is not destructive when left unattended and can lie down on his bed and be still while the family rests or relaxes.  In other words, interrupting “Survivor” or “American Idol” has consequences in my household!  A pet’s being housebroken or possessing basic obedience skills is not as important to me because I am confident I can train him in those areas on my own. 

Other sample expectations might include being able to be left alone during a normal work day and not being destructive in the house, being an active dog that goes running with you and your kids, or being able to play fetch in the backyard for hours on end.  These are all things you should consider before adopting a pet and meeting with one of our adoption counselors, who can help find that perfect match. As we discussed last week, the same applies when looking for a new feline friend.  Do you want a cuddly cat who won’t leave you alone, or a more independent kitty?  Paying attention to your own lifestyle when selecting a pet is far more important than focusing on a specific breed of dog or cat. Our Web site is a great place to start your search. Check out the photos and descriptions of a sample of the dogs and cats awaiting your visit to the Robins-Starr Humane Center.

We’d love to hear what some of your own expectations were before acquiring your last furry friend!

Today’s blog author is Makena Yarbrough.  Makena is the director of operations at the Richmond SPCA.

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