Owning a pet is serious business

"There are so many things to consider when adopting a pet," said Damon March, director of operations for Humane Pennsylvania, which oversees the Lancaster Center for Animal Life-Saving on Route 30 as well as the Freedom Center for Animal Life-Saving in Reading. "Those who have never been the primary caretaker, it's difficult to see everything. We discourage people from making a snap decision."

Different types of pets require different levels of care as do the individual pets, based on age and a variety of factors, and the commitment continues for up to 20 years depending on the pet. "I wish people would better manage the expectation that they will walk in and find a pet for them," March pointed out. "Pets are not universal. They have wide-ranging personalities, and finding a good match for you is not always easy."

To foster more successful pet ownership, Humane Pennsylvania seeks to counsel would-be pet owners with questions about lifestyle, time and interest in working with a pet, and expenses.

March noted that getting a puppy is probably the most challenging of pet adoptions, pointing out that those who like to travel spontaneously might do better with a lower-maintenance cat.

Training, both house training and behavior modification, is most important and time-consuming with puppies. "Housebreaking (is) a pretty major thing, but there are other things, and one of the most important is the general manners," emphasized March, who noted that laying down house rules from the first day and enforcing them 24/7 is key. "When people return puppies, it's because they underestimated how much work those general behaviors would be," he said. "One of the bigger mistakes with a very young puppy is to delay the beginning of that training. As dogs mature, allowing behaviors to persist can lead to really undesirable behaviors such as barking or growling over food or treats." March recommended working with a trainer in person, online, or by video. "That second set of eyes can give you valuable reasons for the behavior," he noted.

Sometimes new pet owners are not prepared for the costs associated with the animal's care and feeding. Melissa Detrick, owner and administrator of Honey Brook Animal Hospital, said that knowing what is best to feed a particular animal is important, but that owners should also be prepared for the costs of first-year visits, which may include vaccinations, neutering, and preventatives. Pet-sitting and grooming expenses will come into play with certain types of pets, as well.

"My advice to pet owners, especially new pet owners, is multifaceted," said Detrick. "Do the research before taking the leap." Detrick pointed out that practicing preventive care combined with a balanced diet and maintaining a good relationship with the animal's vet is all important. She also recommended considering pet insurance.

According to March, when a relationship does not work out between a pet and an owner, the problem often lies with the owner's perspective. "Most of the time it's because the caretaker failed to manage expectations for the situation," said March, who noted that owners may think that an experience with an animal will be similar to a past pet experience or a friend's or relative's pet experience. "That's why relationships fail," he noted.

Humane Pennsylvania formed in 2014 when the Humane Leagues of Lancaster and Berks County merged. Cats are housed at the Lancaster location, and dogs are sheltered at the Berks County facility.