So, you’re definitely not ready for a baby but that goldfish isn’t cutting it anymore. We hear ya.
When adding a four-legged family member to your household, there’s a lot to think about—especially if you work full-time or are living on a tight budget. If you’ve taken our quiz and decided you’re up to the task, read on for more things for potential pet owners to keep in mind.
Expert opinions
“If you are a person who likes to stay in and doesn’t go out much, I wouldn’t go with a dog who is active and needs a lot of exercise … I often see dogs that are perfect dogs but because they’re not the right fit for the owner, they end up at the shelter.” —Anna Evans, Dogone Fun! Daycare staffer and shelter volunteer
“[Adopting a cat requires the] same [considerations as a dog] except cats are kind of unique beings that let you co-exist with them.” —Sherri Janousky, PAWS Chicago adoption volunteer
“Do you have the time available to spend with a pet? Are they going to get walked? Are they going to get played with? Or are they just going to be in a house by themselves because that wouldn’t be the best life for them. … They’re a part of the family and you need to be able to support all their needs.” —Angelica Bialek, veterinarian at Pulaski Animal Hospital
Working pet parent?
Having a full-time job, or other time commitments, doesn’t mean you can’t get a pet—it’ll just take more planning, and money, especially if you want a dog.
According to consumer site Angie’s List, doggy daycare can cost between $140 and $550 a month, though it’s not for everyone. Dog walking, costhelper.com says, ranges between about $15 and $27 per walk.
So is dog-ownership worth it if petcare employees will spend more hours with Fido than you will? That’s up to you.
“We do have dogs that spend a lot of time here,” Candace Canty of Dog-a-holics daycare in Lakeview said. “Every daycare’s going to be different, you want to make sure you’re … [doing what] makes sense for your dog.”
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