Choosing the right pet

There’s no denying that sharing your life with a pet can be rewarding but choosing the wrong animal for you can be distressing and expensive.

There’s and expense involved with all pets as they need to be fed, groomed and kept healthy, even the free giveaway cat and dog can end up costing thousands of dollars in the long run. Consider how much time you have to give an animal, how active you want that animal to be and how an animal will fit in to your home and lifestyle. While a cats and dogs are the most common choices for pets, there are other options. Birds, fish, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters are smaller and easier to look after, requiring less exercise but they still need to be fed, loved and looked after.

If you have your heart set on a cat or dog, then pedigree or crossbreed is a key consideration. There are pros and cons to both, the look and nature of pedigree animals can be easily researched and matched to your needs but they do some at a cost. Crossbreeds can be a bit of a gamble with look and personality but are cheaper. Consider a rescue animal, they will have been monitored and staff at the centre should be able to tell you about their natures and background.

If the cost of looking after your pet is becoming too much for you to afford, you can contact the RSPCA who can offer support, information on organisations in your area that may be able to help or rehome your pet of there is no alternative.

Maybe owning pet is too much of a commitment for you but you have some spare time that you are willing to volunteer to help animals. Your local RSPCA will welcome any help or can put you in touch with a local animal organisation that may suit you better.

To provide support to rescued animals and animal owners in the community, the RSPCA need to raise a substantial amount of funds. If you wish to donate, you can do so online.

For more information on what pet may be right for you, for help looking after your pet, or to volunteer your time, visit the RSPCA.