Having a pet as a child can provide a lifetime of loving memories - but it is also a great responsibility. Pet shops offer a wide variety of pets ranging from pets that live in a bowl or a cage - through to puppies and kittens. Or you might want to consider a rescue animal from places like the SPCA.
The ultimate encyclopedia of small pets and petcare
David Alderton
There are dozens of choices for pets that are suitable for children of various ages. Walking into any pet shop will present you with dozens of choices of furry, scaly, and feathered possible pets. This book is a great place to start if you are ready to get a pet, but you don't want to commit to a larger animal like a cat or a dog. Although this book includes pets which are not available in New Zealand - most of the pets are and there is sound advice about what food to feed them, what housing they will need, and what medical problems they could face.
Reviewed by Erika.
Friends of the family
Virginia Williams
The decision to take a pet into your home is a serious one that will impact on your lives for about ten years. In this book Virginia Williams looks at both sides of pet ownership - the positive and the negative. Information about diseases, costs per year, and common problems for cat and dog owners are looked at. Before I got my dog and cats that I thought carefully about all the issues that Virginia Williams has raised. If your children are bugging you about getting a family pet, make sure that you read this book together so that you can show them what is involved. Some of the information has changed, but consultation with your local council and veterinarian will fill in the gaps.
Reviewed by Erika.
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Tips
Shop around before you decide
Before you decide what kind of pet to buy have a look around the pet shops and ask questions. The larger pet stores often have staff who can provide you with detailed information about everything that your pet will need now and in the future.
Make sure that you are getting your new pet from a good place
Before buying a pet from a shop make sure that the cages are clean and that the animals are bright and active. If the animals appear in distress, or if the enclosures are poorly maintained then don't buy from that shop. If you are getting a pet from a breeder or private individual, ask to have a look around where the animal is currently living.
Consider a rescue animal
Non-profit organisations like the Auckland SPCA have healthy animals of all kinds that are avialable for adoption. There is a nominal cost involved, but the animals are healthy, de-sexed, and vaccinated to date in most cases. Some organisations also rescue pure breed dogs and cats and then find new homes for them. If you are after a certain breed try making enquiries with your local vet clinic or the SPCA. These are usually adult animals, but rescue dogs can make the perfect family pet.
Try before you buy
If you know someone with the kind of pet that you would like for your family, ask if you can spend time with their pet. Offer to walk their dog or look after smaller pets. Sometimes you only discover that a member of your family is allergic to certain animals after prolonged contact.
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