Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/gifting-kids-pets/

Pet ownership comes with all sorts of rewards. Animals can bring love and joy into our lives and even contribute to our living longer, healthier lives. They are known for reducing stress and anxiety and for helping millions cope with emotional and physical setbacks through the use of service animals. Children can benefit greatly from pet ownership, too. Recent studies show kids with dogs are calmer and become less worrisome adults. But before getting a dog or cat for your kids, ask yourself whether you’re up for it.

Pet Ownership Responsibilities

While we’ve already established that pets are great, they are also time-consuming and a big responsibility. If you’re already crunched for time in your busy life, ask yourself if your kids are old enough to truly be responsible for their care requirements. If they can’t be trusted to feed and water them regularly, that means you will be mainly tasked with the job of keeping them alive.

Another thing to think about is cleaning up after them. That entails picking up their waste, either in the yard or in a litter box. Do you have time for it or can you count on your children to do it? Be honest with yourself, otherwise, you could come to resent the animal.

Gentle Care & Handling

Is your child or children mature enough to handle a pet in the careful, gentle manner they require? Little kids need to be taught that pets are living, breathing beings with emotional and physical feelings. Handling them too roughly can lead to veterinary emergencies or even medical emergencies on the part of your kids should the animal lash out after being manhandled. The last thing you need is medical bills for either member of your household.

Quality Time with Pets

One other thing to think about is the amount of time you and your family will have to devote to the pet. They’re obviously not toys you can just put up when you’re bored with them or it’s inconvenient. Dogs and cats are desirous of our time when it comes to affection, playtime, and exercise. If your house is constantly on a dead run rushing from school to practices and any other activities that normally keep you away, then think twice about it.

Joys of Pet Ownership

This isn’t to dissuade you from the joys of pet ownership but rather to remind you of the sacrifices you have to make as a responsible pet person. The last thing you want is for an animal, through no fault of its own, ending up at a shelter or rescue because they didn’t work out with your lifestyle.

Finally, if you do decide the timing’s right, please consider getting a shelter pet rather than buying one. There are plenty of puppies and kittens at rescues if that’s what you want, but don’t overlook the equally valuable seniors that could make excellent pets for your family as well. They generally require far less work than a juvenile that requires training, so give it some thought.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog