Ah, the holiday season is upon us. Christmas lights adorn many houses, carols are being sung, and … puppies are under the tree?
The thought of gifting a loved one with a puppy for Christmas is tempting. What could possibly give you more bonus points than surprising someone with a fluffy little lab wearing a big red bow under the tree? But the allure of the moment can vanish quickly, and a lot can go wrong.
Whether it’s a puppy at Christmas, a rabbit for Easter, or a kitten from the local market, getting a pet should never be a rash decision. In fact, pet ownership is very comparable to home ownership—even, dare I say, more critical, because the life of another being is on the line. So without further ado, here is my list of reasons why getting a pet is like buying a house.
Research is required before the decision-making can even begin.
You wouldn’t buy a house without first looking into the many aspects of doing so, and the same should be applied to the purchase or adoption of an animal. Just as there are several components to consider for houses—financial burden, maintenance requirements, inspections and bylaws—so too are there many considerations to be made before acquiring a pet. There are countless dog breeds with a wide range of behavioural characteristics, genetic lines, energy levels, and nutritional requirements. Dogs, cats, fish, rodents, and reptiles—they all have their unique requirements under the care of a human. You must be prepared to meet all of these before you start searching for Fido or Felix.
There is a major financial commitment.
There are initial start-up fees when purchasing a home (taxes, brokers, down payments, inspection), and these are very comparable to pets. Start-up costs include initial vaccinations, training, adoption fees, spays/neuters (important for controlling unwanted reproduction), and toys/bed/etc. Similar to home maintenance, hydro bills, and property taxes, there are ongoing costs with pets. These include routine vaccines and check-ups, food, and boarding, to name a few.
It won’t always be pure bliss.
Despite cute ads featuring puppies licking children’s faces and kittens chasing shoelaces, the honeymoon will at some point end. In home ownership, this is when the realities kick in regarding maintenance (We have to cut our own grass now? The house needs a paint job? The roof is falling apart?), trouble-shooting (the faucet’s dripping, the washer’s broken), and bad neighbours. With pets, your dog will likely not be a complete angel. You may face issues with aggression, fear, or anxiety. Ferrets are stinky, rabbits are skittish, and kittens love to scratch and/or spray furniture.
Heartbreaking though it may be, pets get sick and injured, just like us. Public health care doesn’t apply to animals, and the truth behind medical care costs is often shocking to owners when they must pay out of their own pocket. Pets can swallow dangerous items, fight with other animals, and run away from home. These are all things that must be accepted as possible, and if they come across as unmanageable, it may be time to reconsider getting an animal.
This is a serious, long-term commitment.
Shockingly to some, pets grow. The kitten stage is over relatively soon, but the care requirements will never go away. Your dog or cat will eat more, sleep less, and morph from a cute ball of fluff to a fully grown adult, as do all mammals.
Just as houses age—making renovations, refurbishments, and replacements necessary—so too will your pets. Hip dysplasia, pancreatitis, kidney failure, and cancer are but a few ailments from the long list of unfortunate inflictions our fluffy friends can face, especially with age. Often some form of treatment is available, but it won’t be cheap. You must be prepared to receive this kind of news, or difficult decisions will have to be made.
If you do it right, this will be something that brings you much pride and happiness, and many life-long memories.
There is very little that is more exciting than sharing the exciting news of buying your first home. Next to the “SOLD!” sign, faces beaming, a young couple stands, excited for the possibilities of starting a new chapter in their life, and contemplating the memories that will be made.
This is in no contrast to the excitement of acquiring a new pet. The warm feeling of finding a new companion, imagining all the wonderful times to be had snuggling on the couch, at the dog park, or sharing goofy photos is enough to convince anyone to take in the next stray they see.
But as with all other things in life, it just isn’t that simple. So before you make a trip to the humane society (adopt, adopt, adopt!), please make sure that you are fully prepared not just for the joys, but all the responsibilities of pet ownership as well. If done properly, adopting that new best friend will be one of the best things you ever do.