Many problems associated with owning a pet can be avoided if the pet owner does their homework.

"If people are willing to invest a little time before taking an animal home, they'll end up with a better behaved, healthier pet that matches the style of their household.", says Dr. Gary Landsberg, a Thornhill veterinarian with a special interest in animal behaviour.

With more than 250 different breeds of dogs and cats to choose from , prospective pet owners will find it helpful to get information from a variety of sources. Breeders, reference books in the library, publications such as Dogs in Canada, animal shows, and of course, the Internet can all help narrow down their choices. Veterinarians are usually very willing to provide input at the initial stage, also. Once a few favourite breeds or mixed breeds are selected it is often a good idea to set up a consultation with a veterinarian for more detailed information on pet behaviour, inherited medical problems and physical characteristics of each breed.

The selection process for dogs and cats is almost identical. However, with cats the owner will have far fewer choices in relation to breeds and pet size. Potential pet owners must give consideration to selecting a pure bred or mixed breed, puppy or adult, kitten or cat, male or female, short hair or long hair and buying from a pet store, breeder, private source or humane organization.

Very often people buy their pet on impulse. Unfortunately, this often results in problems that could have been avoided with a more thoughtful process beforehand.

Choosing a pet a can be an enjoyable experience. Involve all members of the family in the project. Collect information from as many sources as possible. Think ahead - remember responsible pet ownership means making a commitment , hopefully, for many years to come. Successfully completed, the exercise should give you a new family member that will contribute greatly to all your shared experiences.


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Dr. Burtis practices companion animal veterinary medicine at Bay Cities Animal Hospital in Burlington. The human-animal bond is a celebration of one of the longest, strongest and best relationships in our world.

"I love the profession I have been a member of for over 30 years ( 33 years in 2002, to be exact ) and I continue to enjoy the opportunity to work with pet animals and their owners."

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