Responsible pet ownership means making a commitment to care for an animal for the lifetime of the pet. Depending on the breed, this can be 10 to 18 years. Being a good owner takes time and resources to provide for your pets’ needs – basic, health, safety and behavior. It is also important to think about your current lifestyle and future plans to make sure you are ready.

Of course, life can change in unexpected ways, but by spending time planning before you adopt can you decide if now is the right time to adopt and, if so, what type of pet may be best. If now is not the best time to adopt, fostering may be a great way to help animals until you are ready to adopt one of your own.

There are many considerations when choosing a pet, such as: how much time you have to spend, your activity level, how many hours a day you are away from home, and how much money you have to spend on pet care.

Selecting a dog is very different from selecting a cat. Both make wonderful pets, but have different requirements. Remember to consider adult and senior pets as they often require less time and training than young pets, but have just as much love to give.

Costs to adopt cats or dogs vary from one shelter or rescue to the next, with puppies and kittens often costing more than adults. Most rescued pets come already fixed (spayed or neutered) and with basic vaccinations, but you should confirm this to know if you’ll have additional expenses.

Adopting the pet is just the first step. In addition, you’ll need supplies such as food; water and food bowls; bedding and/or a crate; collar and leash; heartworm and flea/tick prevention; and enrichment items, such as toys. Each year, you will also need funds for vaccination boosters and a veterinary wellness exam. Owners never know when a pet may get sick or injured, so many purchase pet insurance, participate in a veterinary discount program and/or set aside money in case of unexpected bills. Some owners also purchase liability insurance for themselves in case their dog ever gets out and bites another person or pet.

No! Thousands of wonderful pets end up in Greater Houston shelters every year because something has changed in the owners’ lives, such as a move, financial hardship, health problem, divorce, death or job change. Although there are many resources available to help owners rehome their pets, some are unable or unwilling to do so, resulting in their pets being taken to shelters or rescues.

When you adopt instead of shop, you help save the life of your new pet and make space for another animal in need to receive help. Plus, you can often save hundreds of dollars as many adopted pets have already received vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery. The money you save can help buy supplies or can be saved for future care.

Many people are surprised to know that about 25 percent of all pets in shelters are purebreds. There are also a variety of breed-specific rescue groups that routinely take pets from shelters or owners who are no longer able to care for their pets. When you adopt, you save the life of that pet, plus make space for the shelter or rescue to help more animals in need.

There are endless options of where to get pets in Greater Houston, including shelters, rescues, rehoming websites and social media sites. It is best to work with reputable groups or people who are referred by others you know. Ask them to provide veterinary records. This is especially important when adopting puppies, as there are some bad actors that separate puppies from mothers too soon, use unsafe breeding practices or lie about what veterinary care has been provided to the puppy. Do your research before adopting your puppy or any pet. Only provide fees once you are confident you are working with a trusted group or individual.

It is usually not recommended to gift pets as gifts. Because of the long commitment of time and money, it is best for new owners to make this decision themselves and to select pets that are best suited for their lifestyles and budgets. Since every pet has its own personality, it is also ideal to let the new owner choose the pet so a strong connection is created from the beginning. Instead, you can make a certificate to show you will pay for adoption fees, then later let the new owner select the pet.

Pet ownership does require a commitment of time and money, such as adoption fees, pet deposits, annual vaccines, monthly heartworm prevention, food and supplies. Some communities have low-cost services and food pantries to help, however, if you are concerned about the ongoing expense and time commitment of ownership, you may wish to consider fostering through a local shelter or rescue group.

Most organizations provide all veterinary needs, medications and supplies, and many provide food. Fostering assignments can be a short as a few days or for months, depending on the organization and program you select. You’ll receive the love and companionship of a pet and know you are saving the lives of pets in need.