According to the Human Society, about 4.5 million pets are euthanized each year due to overpopulation in shelters. The only way to help stop this is to make room for a new dog in your house and bring one home.

Sharing your life with a companion animal comes with lots of benefits. But adopting a dog is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Please take these things into consideration before you go out there and save an unwanted dog from being killed.

Time

Caring for a dog is a big commitment. They rely on us for almost everything – food, water, shelter, grooming, exercise etc. That said, you need to make sure you have enough time to take good care of your dog and play the role of a responsible owner.

Dogs are social creatures and need to have a companion. If you travel a lot of work long hours, then you might want to put off your plans of getting a dog.

Budget

A dog will need food, toys, food bowls, leash, collar, carrier crate and regular vet visits. All these things can quickly add up to big bucks. Be sure to do the math first and figure out how they’ll fit into your budget.

Space

How much space you’ll need will actually depend on the type and the size of dog you’re looking at. A large dog is certainly not a good choice if you live in a shoebox apartment. You should only consider getting one if you live in a house with lots of outdoor spaces.

Dogs need to be exercised every single day. This will not only help keep them fit and healthy, it is also a way to get their extra energy out.

Members of the family

Be sure that the dog you get matches your lifestyle. You want to adapt kid-friendly dogs if you have small kids.