If your family is considering the addition of a new furry friend to your family, you may be wondering what’s the best way to decide what kind of pet will fit in with your lifestyle and living situation. There are many factors that you should consider when selecting a new pet, both for your family and for your pet. Of course, existing or potential pet allergies should be the first item that factors into your decision. Children and adults that are not in regular contact with pets may have an existing allergy that they are not aware of. Consider visiting an animal shelter or even a family or friend that has a pet you can spend time with to help determine if you have and allergy or sensitivity to that pet, prior to making a commitment to an animal.
Once you’ve determined that your family is free of potential pet …
Keeping wild and unique animals as pets threatens public well being and safety as well as animal welfare. Wild animals can assault and unfold disease, and the typical pet owner cannot provide the care they need in captivity. From tigers to bears to chimpanzees, these are harmful wild animals—and in some states it’s perfectly authorized to keep one as a pet.