Should you really get more animals?

[LadyOhh]

When it comes to animals that you are considering buying, there are several things you need to remember before you even think about bringing another living being into a home.

This refers to ALL animals, but since this is a reptile related site, we will continue along these lines.

1) CAN I AFFORD IT?

-This does not refer to the animal that you are buying, cause you can buy a $10 cornsnake at the store. Sure, you can afford the initial cost to make your day by taking it home, but can you REALLY afford it?

You need to consider the life span of the animal, the amount of food that you need to provide for it in that period of time, the caging, including grow up cages, tanks, water bowls and bedding for an animal that will grow larger and need more space...

ALSO, you can't forget the care that it will require. Veterinary visits are the first large cost that one tends to think about, as it can and will cost you upwards of several hundred dollars on one animal IF it is sick, and even if it is not, for general checkups over the lifetime of the animal.

But... Can you afford to give your time in taking care of it? Everyones time is worth something, and you need to remember that the time it takes to clean out the tank, pour in some water, change out the bedding.

How much do you make per hour at your job (if you have one)? Well... you can use that as an example of cost of your time.

2) CAN I REALLY TAKE CARE OF IT PROPERLY?

-This goes hand in hand with what I just touched on in terms of being able to afford it, but a little deeper.

Can you, as a human being, find the resources and materials necessary to take care of your creature? You can try and find it at a store, persay, but what if you can't? Will you go out of your way to get something that is necessary for your animal? Internet resources, books, videos... Will you go the extra mile to find out from a professional what is required of you for your animals care?

For example... spritzing water on Chameleons. That is a full time operation! You need to have it done often and well... Will you buy that hand spritzer and do it yourself, or will you buy a fancy doo-dad to make it happen without you?

3) DO I REALLY CARE ENOUGH FOR THIS ANIMAL IN THE LONG RUN?

-Will you go the extra mile if the animal is sick, even if it is a $10 animal, to make it well again? Will you spend the time giving it expensive medicine, paying for the expensive medicine, going to the vet three times a week only to be told its getting worse? Would you really care enough to do that?? COULD you do that?

These animals that we get as pets depend on US to take care of them. They cannot go into the Vet and say "Hey, Vet guy, I need to get some medicine cause my stomach is rotting from the inside out..."

It is your perogative to take care of them, and if you don't, the ultimate sacrafice is not paid by you, the owner, but by the animals you own.


Why is this even an issue, you ask? Why do you feel the need to write this all out, Heather?

Well.... It is important to remember all of this.

And ask yourself if you are just being selfish in taking in another animal, or if you are really ready to own a new critter.



It is up to you to realize your own limitations.

But it is not up to the animals who takes them home...

Be aware, and care deeply for the animals you do own. And when you are ready, financially and mentally, THEN take the next step.

Until then, just wait it out.