Have you been thinking about adopting a pet? Pets can be a wonderful addition to your family. They offer companionship and love that's as close to unconditional as it can get. But if you've never had a pet before, it's easy to get wrapped up in the cuteness and fun of the idea without realising the work and effort that it takes to keep your pet healthy and happy!
Five Traits You Should Possess Before Adopting a Pet
Below I want to outline five traits that you need to possess to be able to give your pet the love and care they deserve. Remember that these are traits that can be worked on, and not every good pet parent ranks 5/5 in all these traits, but if you struggle with many of these and aren't willing or able to work toward changing that, you may want to drop the idea of adopting a pet, at least temporarily (in this case, fostering is a great alternative!)
1. Compassion
In order to ensure the well-being of your companion animal, it is important that you are able to empathise with your pet's feelings and take action to meet their needs, especially since they cannot communicate with you as other humans can. It is important for them to feel loved and experience comfort, and you must be willing to put in the work required to gauge and adequately address their desires and needs accurately.
2. Dependability
Since you are responsible for your pet's welfare, it is imperative that you show up for them, in more ways than one. This also means prioritising your pet's short-term and long-term needs, for example, not feeding excessive treats because your pets make that face, or taking your dog for her night potty break even when you're tired (or giving her a pee pad). You are the one your pet relies on to make the right decisions and ensure their safety. You have to do what needs to be done, for example, medicating your pet though they dislike it.
3. Patience
As with all good things, patience is key. If you're doing it right, your pets will likely at some point (or many points) in their life be a source of frustration, be it due to behavioural issues, medical problems, or simply our anthropocentric surroundings. Anticipating and addressing the needs of your pet can be just as hard as navigating our human-centric society with them. During those times when being responsible for a whole other life is exasperating, patience is an essential trait. Breathe.
4. Flexibility
Caring for a pet, much like caring for any other human or non-human life, means you have to be willing to compromise. You may wish to have no litter trays in open spaces, but are you willing to compromise on your preferences for the cat's comfort? You may prefer to only feed your dog twice a day, but if your dog has digestion issues and needs at least 4 meals a day, would you be willing and/or able to accommodate that? Remember, the less access you have to additional help - financial, logistical, or emotional - the more flexibility will be required of you.
5. Self-awareness
If you consistently deny the possibility that some of the things you do for your pet could be done better, your pet will bear the brunt of your arrogance. An example: Someone had a cat who regularly consumed cow's milk and lived to be 25 on cow's milk, so they refute all the science and advice from veterinary professionals about the harmful effects of cow's milk on cats. Caring for a pet means holding yourself accountable, and that only works if you maintain humility and keep an open mind. Get comfortable with being wrong.
What If You Are Not Sure If You Are Ready to Adopt a Pet?
If you had your heart set on getting a pet but are wondering if you are capable of taking on the responsibility, we have a solution for you! Foster!
When you foster a pet, you are taking them in temporarily, with the freedom to return the pet if you find yourself overwhelmed or otherwise unprepared. If you decide to foster a pet, make sure to choose a rescuer/rescue agency that understands your hesitations and provides support during the foster period.
Fostering with Desi Rescues
Here at Desi Rescues, we will never push you to adopt if you don't feel confident, and we will never shame you if you decide not to adopt after the foster period. We believe that it is in the best interest of the pet to go to a home where they are desired and are a source of joy and love rather than a burden. Here are some benefits of fostering for rescues at Desi Rescues:
Receive all supplies, full guidance and support
Explore pet parenting without committing to adoption
Cancel or modify the foster arrangement anytime
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