Is This The Best Time To Adopt A Pet?

Choosing to add a pet to your family is a big step. Pets add lots of laughter, fun and companionship to our lives. But, they are also a big responsibility. Sometimes, adopting a pet may be too much added responsibility at a stressful time in your life.

Use this quiz to take a moment to assess what�s happening in your life now and in the near future.

Circle or check the following events that have occurred in your life in the past 6 months. Also count any that you think may occur in the coming 6 months.

Divorce or break-up of a relationship
Marriage
Change in living arrangements � new roommates, moving in with parents, etc.
Move to a new residence
Pregnancy or new baby
Longer hours or increased responsibility at work
Financial concerns
Children leaving home or moving back home
Caretaking responsibilities for elderly or ill family member
Significant changes in family routine
Death of another family pet
Disappearance of a pet
Relinquishment of a pet � given away, brought to a shelter
Significant health problems of a family member
Change in working status � family member begins work, changes job or retires
Frequent travel � business or pleasure
Limited leisure or free time
Graduation from high school or college, recently or in the near future
Disagreement among family members about obtaining a pet
Also count the number of pets you now have (one aquarium counts as one pet)

Scoring

0 � 3 Your life seems fairly stable. Now is a reasonable time to acquire a new pet.

4 � 6 You have lots of things to juggle and take care of. Although pet ownership may still work for you, and adult cat, small mammal, or adult, well-trained mellow smaller dog would probably be more appropriate than a puppy, an active breed of dog or a kitten.

7 � 10 With all the changes and responsibilities in your life now, adding a pet may be that last straw. Realistically, you may not have time to care for a pet. Both you and the animal might be better off if you wail until you life settles down.

More than 10 Acquiring a pet now is not a wise decision.

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I first found this quiz posted to a rescue list a couple of years ago. There was no author credited.
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