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Pets as Presents
Planning Makes All the Difference By Lyn Mettler
Before you go pick up your new pet, get your family involved in deciding what type, size and breed of animal you'd consider. Take a trip to the bookstore or library, and read up on which breed's characteristics might fit in best with your family.
Once you've got an idea what you're looking for, where should you go? An animal shelter. According to the ASPCA, each year millions of dogs enter shelters, yet of the approximately 59 million owned dogs in this country, less than 20 percent are shelter adoptees. By adopting at a shelter, you're giving a homeless pet a new chance at life.
But there are other great reasons for going to a shelter. The cost is low, and there are often discounts on spaying and neutering. "They're in the business to help animals have good homes, not to make money," says Zawistowski. They also have a good selection of pets and knowledgeable staff to make sure you're getting the right animal for your family.
Zawistowski also suggests logging on to PetFinder.com, either at home r at the library, which allows you to search more than 4000 different shelters by breed, location, size and more for animals up for adoption. The whole family can get involved, looking at pictures and profiles to find the perfect pet.
"You can turn this whole experience into an extraordinary experience for the kids," says Zawistowski. "It's fun to surprise, but it's as much fun to have kids be a part of the process."
When you've done it right, your child will likely end up with a longtime friend and companion. Says Zawistowski, "A child who can have a pet, it can be one of the most magnificent parts of their life."
