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Top 20 questions to ask before buying a pet
August
1999
So you’ve decided to buy a pet. That's great! However, before you dash
into the nearest pet shop, welfare centre or vet to purchase the first
set of paws you see, it is important to consider the type of pet that
would ideally suit you and your family's lifestyle.
Cat or dog, large or small, active or gentle, long or short coated -
so many choices! Choosing the best pet may seem like a tall order but
not only is it easy to do, it can be fun.
Although you may think that a particular breed of dog or cat will suit
you, it may not be practical given your surroundings, lifestyle and
business hours that you keep. So how do you choose the right pet? The
Petcare Information and Advisory Service is happy to provide advice
or you can hop on the net and look up the
SelectaPet site located at www.petnet.com.au
The SelectaPet program features a unique questionnaire that applies
to Australian lifestyles and the characteristics of the breeds recognised
in Australia.
A number of important questions are asked that, when analysed, will
compare your needs and surroundings against those of 100 different breeds
or dogs and cats. The computer will then select up to four breeds most
likely to suit you.
Below are some of the questions you should ask yourself when selecting
a pet.
Selecting a Dog...
1. What sort of residence do I have -Flat/Town House, House,
House with acreage?
2. What type of area do I live in - Inner suburbs, Suburban,
Semi-rural, Rural?
3. What is the size of my yard - None, Small, Medium, Large?
4. Am I able to keep a dog secure on my property - Yes, No, Mostly?
5. How much daily exercise will I be able to give my dog -None,
15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour + ?
6. How long will the pet be without human or animal company -
Not at all, 10-20 hours, 20-40 hours, More than 40 hours?
7. How active am I -Infirm, Not Very, Quite, Very?
8. How active do I want my pet to be - Quiet, Moderately Active,
Lively, Very Energetic?
9. What size pet would I like - Small, Medium, Large, Giant?
10. What type of coat would I like my pet to have- Smooth, Short,
Medium, Long?
Choosing the correct type of cat may not seem as difficult as choosing
a dog, however there are some considerations that should be made:
Selecting a cat...
1. Where would your cat live -Always indoors, Mostly indoors,
Mostly outdoors, Always outdoors?
2. What age group are you -10-19, 20-39, 40-59, 60+?
3. What is the age of the youngest child, if any –- No children,
5 and under, 6-11, 12+?
4. What nature should your cat have - Gentle, Playful, Independent,
Spirited?
5. What type of coat should your cat have - Short, Curly, Semi
long hair, Long hair?
6. What build should you cat be - Fine boned, Small, Medium,
Large
7. How active should your cat be - Quiet, Moderately active,
Active, Very active?
8. How much grooming do you want to do - None, A little, Moderate,
A lot?
9. Do you currently own a dog or cat - Yes, No?
10. How many hours would your cat be without human or animal
company each day - Not at all, Under 2 hours, 2-6 hours, More than 6
hours?
To be fair to our pets we should take care to place them in a suitable
environment. Taking the time to select the best pet will ensure that
you will enjoy all the benefits that come with being a pet owner