Finding a Four-Legged Friend
Consider lifestyle and commitments when choosing a pet.

by Shari Hegland

Is your family considering joining the 63 percent of American households who share their homes with at least one pet?

While a pet can be a wonderful way for your child to learn responsibility and share in unconditional love, local experts say there are a few things you should think through to help you choose the animal that will best fit your household.

“We’re in the process of implementing a program called ‘Meet Your Match,’ ” says Heather Schmid, executive director of the Coulee Region Humane Society in Onalaska. This program uses a short questionnaire to assign adoptive families a color that indicates which animals might be good matches for them.

Here are a few of the questions the Humane Society is likely to ask, which can help point toward the perfect animal:

• What animals do you have or have you had in the home? This lets them know whether your family might need more information on caring for the new member of the family, in addition to providing information on bringing a new animal home to meet your existing pet.
• What is your lifestyle like? Are your children involved in a number of after-school activities? Do you travel a lot?

“If you have kids who are very involved in extra-curricular activities, let’s be realistic,” Schmid says. “If you are gone three to four nights a week, having that energetic young (Labrador retriever) at home may not be the best idea.”

But, she says, it could work out if someone is home with the dog during the day, or if there is time for the children to play with or walk the dog between school and the activities.

If you travel, Schmid says to consider whether a dog could go with you, or if you can board the dog at a kennel or find a sitter. Cats are a little easier to leave for a day or two. So are small animals such as guinea pigs, but they still need someone to watch them if you are gone any longer.

• Do you like to be outside and take walks? If not, look toward an older, more docile dog or a cat, rather than a young dog from a working breed with a lot of energy.
• Do you have the time and patience to commit for housebreaking? If not, look for an adult animal.
• Do you own your home or rent? Live in a house or apartment? “Even if (your landlord) allows dogs, will you be able to take them outside four or five times a day?” Schmid asks. If not, a small animal or cat might be a better option. Consider something like a rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, or fish.

By carefully considering all of these questions, you can better choose the pet that will best fit your family.

If you decide to adopt from the Coulee Region Humane Society (which does at times have small mammals or birds available, in addition to dogs and cats), they also will ask that all individuals in the household meet with the animal before it goes home with you to be certain there are no issues such as allergies, a child’s fear, or just a clash of personalities.

“These are all things we try to do ahead of time to reduce or eliminate the emotions the family and the animal would have to go through if it didn’t work,” Schmid says.

And when it does work? A lifetime commitment and one happy family!