Smart Pet Choices
More Information from NW Zoos & Aquariums
The NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance has produced two fun and effective products about smart pet choices. In addition, several members of the NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance provide information on their websites about smart pet choices.
How to Choose an Appropriate Pet
There are many things to consider when choosing a pet. Simply choosing a cat or dog requires thinking about food and veterinary bills, dog walks, and outdoor cats’ impacts on wildlife. There are many additional issues and consequences to consider when choosing an exotic pet. Ask yourself these questions, if you are considering an exotic pet.
- Do you know if the animal is legal to possess in your state or province?
- Can your family care for the animal for its full lifespan, which may be decades?
- Do you know what space, exercise, and activities will keep the animal healthy?
- Do you know the complete dietary needs of the animal?
- Are you comfortable feeding the animal live mice or insects?
- Do you know which diseases this animal could be carrying?
- Can you enjoy an animal that isn’t soft and cuddly?
- Do you have enough time every day to keep the animal’s tank or cage clean?
- Can you provide the specialized environmental conditions the animal may need?
- Do you know how large the animal will grow and what its adult behaviors are?
- Do you know if the animal is better by itself or with others?
- Do you know where to purchase an animal that has not been taken from the wild, and is legal to possess as a pet?
- Can you afford the animal’s vet bills, which may require an expensive specialist?
To help you answer these questions, please explore the websites provided in our Pet and Wildlife Resources section.
