Choosing a pet can be a very difficult decision, but it can lead to one of the most exciting days of your life - when you bring home your perfect pet. Many factors must be taken into consideration before choosing an animal to share your home with including how much time you and your family have to spend with an animal, how much money can be spent each month on food and other expenses, and how much space is available for the animal to live.

Other things to think about include how frequently the animal will have to visit the vet, whether anybody in your family, or frequent guests, have allergies to your pet, and whether you want an animal that will sit on your lap to be pet, or if you want a pet that will stay in its cage that you can watch.

Another important thing to consider is how much energy your pet has naturally. Some breeds of dogs were bred for activities such as herding. These breeds will require more energy than others and will need exercise daily, while other breeds may be content spending much of their days in your lap.

Cats can also make an exciting addition to your home. They are generally easy to care for and do not require outside exercise, although they will still need inside exercise and attention. Just as it is with dogs, some cats will have more energy and require more exercise than others.

Pocket pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters can be a good first pet for many children. It can be a good introduction to the responsibility of caring for a pet, without being quite as demanding as a dog or cat. These pets are also good for adults, especially if you like having a furry friend in your home, but are away for long hours.

Some people prefer reptiles or birds. Successfully raising and caring for reptiles or birds can be very rewarding, but there is a lot of specific care that goes into caring for them. Do your research before purchasing to make sure it is a good fit for you.

When you have decided on your perfect pet, the next question is where do I get my pet? There are several options to choose from. You can adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue, purchase from a private breeder or purchase from a pet store. Adopting from a shelter is a very rewarding decision, but can also leave a lot questions regarding the pet's previous health care and temperament. A reputable rescue or shelter will perform temperament tests on the pet before adoption to determine whether the pet is suitable to be around children, cats or other pets. They will also make sure the pet is healthy, current on vaccinations and spayed or neutered before adoption.
A private breeder is generally more expensive, but is able provide records regarding breeding history and specific information regarding the breed you choose. A responsible breeder with have the pet current on vaccinations with the appropriate documentation, often including a health certificate signed by a veterinarian stating that the pet is healthy for sale (this is required in the state of Florida). They will also make sure that the pet is a good fit for your family before selling the pet to you. Buying a pet from a private breeder generally gives a certain reassurance of what to expect from your pet, regarding health and temperament, as breeders will often not breed pets that do not fall into certain standards.
Purchasing a pet from a pet store is another option that is available. A pet store will have a wide variety of pets for you to choose from, allowing you opportunity to decide which pet is the best for you. You may also see breeds that you had not thought about or heard of before, so it may open your eyes to what is out there.

The perfect pet is the pet that fits perfectly into your family and lifestyle. What works for one person may not work for another. Luckily, there are many choices to choose from! Never make a decision on which pet to choose based on an impulsive decision. Always make sure that you do plenty of research before deciding on your pet to make sure that you have the best fit for you.

Visit www.petchoice.org for more information.