THE PERFECT PET FOR YOU... IT EXISTS!

When it comes to choosing a pet to keep us company for years to come, the choice can be difficult. There are so many to choose from, and they're all equally endearing at first glance.

And, if you're looking for a companion for the whole family, any little puppy will seduce you with a simple glance, any kitten will convince you by snuggling up to you. It's difficult in these cases not to fall for it and to remain rational. Because, yes, YOU HAVE TO THINK CAREFULLY : finding your animal soulmate isn't just about choosing the cutest or most cuddly of all these little beings available for adoption, it's above all about choosing the animal that suits YOU and who suits YOU.

• PLUS: 👉 Read top tips from 200 animal rescue organizations on adopting your pet.
  
  

Hence the importance of taking your time... for the greater happiness of both of you.

When it comes to human relationships, finding the perfect partner can sometimes take time. Finding the perfect pet to share your life in harmony can also be complex, but it's possible!

The first thing to do is to think about what is important to you and all the elements to consider in your life before welcoming a pet.

Before going any further, I therefore advise you to read and examine the previous articles in our Guide to the Perfect Adoption , in particular the article 10 Things to Consider Before Adopting a Pet . Your reading today would not be complete and useful without having previously read this article. You will understand why.

• OUR READERS LOVE: 👉 10 tips for welcoming your new companion home
  
  

Basically, the most important thing to avoid when finding the right pet for you is to never (ever!) choose a pet on impulse! Why? Because there are simply too many things to consider when choosing a pet, and these considerations are not something you do impulsively:

-Your lifestyle

-The costs

-Your activity level and his

-Your age

-Your personality type and his

-Your goals in life

-The presence of other animals in the house

-Family members

-The animal's life expectancy

-Your degree of will and investment

-Your temperament and his

• READ ALSO: 👉 The first meeting
  
  

Reading all of the above, you might think the search will be daunting. That's why we sought advice from our adoption consultants and experts at various shelters and humane societies. Homeoanimo ™ is sharing them with you to help you in your search:

TIP NUMBER 1 - VOLUNTEERS AND SHELTER STAFF ARE YOUR FRIENDS!

We can't stress this enough. No one knows the animal you might adopt better than those who care for them on a daily basis. Don't be fooled by appearances or your first impression. In shelters, the animal may not look its best at the exact moment you come to visit, but this could be due to many factors.

If you've ever volunteered at a shelter, you know that some animals can become shy or anxious around strangers when they're actually very affectionate and cuddly in a less stressful environment.

Here's Darlene of Happy Endings No Kill Cat Shelter's perspective: "Be open-minded when visiting the cat at the shelter. They are very territorial creatures and sometimes act like children. The cat you meet at the shelter is likely not the same cat you'll experience at home. You have to look beyond the cage. Many cats don't show their true selves in a temporary shelter environment. They don't know why they're there, they don't know how to handle other cats, and their world has been turned upside down. When the cat arrives home, in a safe place they call home, they will thrive. It's important to find the right cat for your family. Maybe you came to see a particular animal after spotting it online, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right one for you. Shelter staff should have a good idea of ​​the animal's personality and be able to guide your search by talking with you and learning a little about your family and lifestyle.

That's why you need to talk to shelter volunteers and staff. They have access to information you don't. They also know the animals in their care better than you ever could in a few minutes. So, go ahead and gather information by asking questions and explaining as much as you can about yourself and your needs. After all, they're the experts, and you'll benefit from listening to them, as Dorothea Boughdadly of Hoofs and Woofs Animal Rescue also advises.

TIP NUMBER 2 - HAVE MULTIPLE MEETINGS

Think of meeting the animal as an approach to someone you'd like to seduce. Often, when it comes to human relationships, love isn't found at first sight. And even if a first date goes well, you may find that the next time you meet, you don't have that much in common after all.

The key, then, is to attend the meet-and-greet sessions, interact with the animals you love, and try to meet the animal many times and at different times of the day before proceeding with the adoption.

Just like the person you're getting to know, your future animal companion may turn out to be different at different times of the day: they may be friendly and cute at certain times and wilder in the morning (you get the idea).

You may have researched a specific breed or animal, but that doesn't mean all members of the same species have the same personality. Just like people, animals have different personalities and temperaments. All of our experts at Mastiff Ranch and Rescue, Pennsylvania Great Dane and Rescue, Loving Fosters K9 Rescue, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, SPCA of North Brevard, and Shelter Showcase confirm this.

Meeting several animals before considering adoption is also a great way to avoid impulsive adoption, which is often done emotionally based on appearance.

It would be great to imagine that you could find "the one" in a few minutes, but think about it: it would be a bit like deciding to get married after a blind date!

That's what Janis Worley of One of a Kind Pets gave us, and it's pretty true! We'll talk about it again in another article in our Guide to the Perfect Adoption.

TIP NUMBER 3 - ASK A SECOND OPINION

Do you really think you've found your soulmate? That's great! However, it might be a good idea to ask someone who's objective and can tell you if they think you'd make a good team.

If you are hesitating between two or three individuals and are having trouble deciding, sometimes someone from outside will have enough perspective to observe what you are not able to see (for example, if the animal tends to avoid you when you want to cuddle it...).

TIP NUMBER 4 - GO WITH THE FAMILY

Often, it is families who choose to adopt animals. Therefore, you must take into consideration all members of the family as well as other animals.

By the way, if you do have other pets, it's very important to check that your current pet and the next one don't have conflicting personalities. You may have heard horror stories of people who had a lovely pet that turned into a monster the day they adopted another one or moved.

Keep in mind that just like people, pets have different feelings and needs. To keep your home a peaceful haven, all your pets should be able to live in harmony.

And even if the pet you've chosen is the nicest in the world, if your family members aren't involved in the process, you won't be able to force them to love it. Also, consider everyone's allergies and fears (if your wife is afraid of dogs, she won't magically like your dog). So involve the whole family in the process, meet the pet several times TOGETHER, and choose TOGETHER. We guarantee you success and happiness!

Also, be aware that there are natural and homeopathic solutions formulated to balance pet behavior. However, the ideal is not to need them and for all members of the family, including pets, to live together without being forced and having as much fun as possible together. Otherwise, it would be unfair to everyone.

TIP NUMBER 5 - BE PATIENT!

No matter what animal you choose, no matter how perfect it may be, an adjustment period is normal and you will have to make some effort to achieve balance.

Don't dismiss the possibility of adopting a pet just because it isn't housebroken yet or simply because it isn't as affectionate as you'd like. Some things take time and a little patience. And most "problems" can be solved with certain natural products: an alpha male, hair loss, bedwetting, food allergies, an unhealthy coat, parasites or worms, etc. Don't deprive yourself of a fantastic pet because of problems that will only be temporary with patience and work.

TIP NUMBER 6 - LET GO IF YOU NEED TO

The best human-animal relationships require effort, but you also need to recognize your limitations and theirs if things ultimately don't improve. Think about your well-being, but also theirs.

Unfortunately, sometimes we make a mistake and have to return the animal to the shelter because the experience is too stressful for the animal or for certain members of the family.

If this approach is done for the good of the animal and after really trying in good faith, you have nothing to feel guilty about. The shelter staff is there to help you find the right animal for you and will do their best to make things go better. Their goal is to find suitable families for as many animals as possible, but if you realize that you are not the right family for an animal, it is better to be honest. They will make sure to find it a home that suits it better. So, when you bring it back, tell yourself that you are helping it and that it will be better for it in the long run. You will then be able to offer a better life to another little animal who is truly made to live with you.

Linda, who works at the K9BFF shelter, confirms this point: "A good shelter tries to find the right family for the animal and vice versa by asking questions and trying to see if they will be compatible. But no one is perfect and it is possible to make mistakes and the dog behaves differently than expected. A good shelter will then take the animal back to ensure it is safely placed in another home."

Ultimately, this animal deserves to find the family of its dreams, too, and even though it can be painful to realize that this family isn't yours, knowing how to let go will ensure a more pleasant life for it in the long run. And ultimately for you, too.

Have you ever adopted from a shelter? Perhaps you've also worked or volunteered there? If you have any advice to share, we'd be happy to share it with our readers! Write to us with your comments or come chat with other passionate people on our Facebook page. And to get access to our latest news in more detail, sign up for our newsletter! You won't miss a single article in our Guide to the Perfect Adoption ... and more! If you think the article you just read could help someone, share it! Our wish is for as many animals as possible to be adopted through shelters and loved by people like you!

See you next time!