Pets provide your family with love, companionship and fun. In return, you must provide them with all the basic things that they need to be healthy and happy. Pets provide a great opportunity to teach your children about responsibility.
The first thing you need to do before you choose a pet for your family is know that you are committing to the animal for its entire life. For dogs and cats, that can mean anywhere from 8 to 15 years. For some birds, that can mean up to 50 years or more. Smaller reptiles and mammals have shorter life spans. Do the research and know that animals are not disposable when they get old or get to be too much work. When you take on a pet, you assume the responsibility for its entire life, not just when it's convenient or fun.
Pets need a clean environment to live in. This means cleaning their sleeping areas, food bowls, and keeping their living areas free of waste. Like children, animals need vaccinations and check-ups to ensure that they stay healthy. Your pets should be spayed or neutered, and chipped in case they wander off. Animals also need the proper nutrition for their species. You can not feed human food to animals and expect them to remain healthy. They need regular grooming, such as brushing their coats and teeth and clipping their nails. If these things are not something you are prepared to do, be sure to choose an animal that is lower maintenance.
Animals need training, exercise, patience, attention, and lots of love. They are a lot like raising a small, furry child. Being a responsible pet owner isn’t always easy, and it is rarely inexpensive. However, if you give your pets what they need, the gifts they give you in return are priceless.
I really like this article. It is obviously written from experience and from the heart.