Fur-ever Family

Bringing a furry friend into the family offers more than just cuddles and cuteness. Research suggests family pets may reduce stress and even boost immune systems and childhood development. And with millions of pets needing homes—5.8 million entered shelters in 2024 in the US alone—adoption could be life-changing for both a family and its new companion. A little forethought and planning go a long way to making adoption a, well, paws-itive experience.

Before visiting a local shelter or rescue, consider factors like lifestyle and living space to determine what kind of pet could responsibly join your family. Sites like www.adoptapet.com and www.petfinder.com feature cats, dogs, and other animals currently in need of adoption at thousands of shelters throughout Canada and the US. You can search by location, age, size, and even specific criteria like “good with kids.”

And speaking of the kiddos: Discuss expectations before bringing a new pet home. Pets can be a great way for children to learn responsibility, but setting clear expectations and guidelines for care is important for both sustainability and pet safety.

While planning for your new pet, check out resources available through organizations like the Humane Society and SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Branches of both organizations in Canada and the US offer estimated adoption and care costs, as well as helpful tips for what to buy and how to prepare your home preadoption.

Pet Care 101

Keep your furry family members safe and healthy with these simple reminders.

It takes more than an adoption fee to responsibly bring a pet into your home. Keep costs down long-term by maintaining regular check-ups at the vet and good grooming habits at home, like brushing teeth.

Your pet’s needs may change over time, as they age or your household changes. Pay attention to changes in behavior and talk to your vet if you notice irregularities; stress can be mitigated through simple tools like pheromone diffusers, additional exercise or stimulation, or even white noise.

Pets need affection too and there are plenty of ways to show it, even amidst a busy household. Providing healthy basics like nutritious food and consistently fresh water (try a fountain) is a must. Incorporate kids into daily pet care to build responsibility and ensure your pets receive plenty of attention too; evening walks, park visits, and treat hide-and-seek can be fun for the whole family.

The exact adoption process differs among shelters, but chaperoned playtime, background paperwork, and adoption fees are safe guarantees. Some organizations will also interview prospective adopters, to ensure suitability and good matches. And don’t forget to check whether your state or province requires government registration of your new pet, too.

Many shelters include the cost of spaying or neutering, as well as basic vaccines, within their initial adoption fee. Call ahead or look online to see what’s included at your local shelter or rescue to avoid any financial surprises.

Pet insurance plans can be a helpful safety net for any of those surprises postadoption. Most pet insurance operates through reimbursement; you pay upfront at the veterinarian, then submit a claim. Note if there’s any waiting period for coverage, how preexisting conditions are handled, and whether you’re covering accidents and injuries only or comprehensive care too.

Adopting a pet is a serious commitment, but one that leads many families to ask: “Who rescued whom?”