You've talked it over and your family is ready to welcome a pet into your home. Once you've decided what type of pet to get -- a dog, cat, bunny, the list goes on -- figuring out where to get your pet will be the biggest decision you face. Whether you choose to go to a shelter, breeder, pet store or adopt a kitten from the litter next door, there are pros and cons to consider. We've got you covered with a guide that spells out what you need to know to start your foray into pet ownership on the right foot.

Animal shelters
Think municipal pounds, humane societies, rescue groups and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Cost: $80 to $200 for a dog; $60 to $120 for a cat. Prices vary based on region, demand and what the market will bear. The top-end often gets your pet sterilized, treated for fleas, dewormed and equipped with identification (a microchip or a tattoo). Every shelter vaccinates its animals.

Pros: You are giving an animal a second chance and helping with the pet-overpopulation problem, says Michael O'Sullivan, executive director of the Humane Society of Canada. Other advantages: the animals will have been examined by a vet or veterinary technician. While this checkup doesn't include comprehensive blood screening for potential future problems, it will ensure that the animal is in good health.

Many shelters also do temperament assessments, so you'll know if your pet is good around kids and other pets. And if the animal is an adult you know exactly how large he will be and that he's likely house-trained. Shelter workers will generally know how the pets will interact with other animals and people. If, within two weeks to a month, things just aren't working out, most shelters will either offer you a refund or try and find another, more suitable, pet for you. Also, shelters have stray cats, which can usually be domesticated, but not feral ones (free-roaming cats that have never been around people).

Cons: The fact that animals are in a shelter could point to a problem. Maybe the animal suffers from separation anxiety and can't be left alone. "Get as much history on the animal as you can," says Dr. Patricia Stapley Chase, a veterinarian at Pine Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Cobourg, Ont., who works with a local rescue group. "Ask if you can take the animal to your own vet to get her impression." Another con: you may not find what you want. For instance, the shelter may have lots of kittens but no puppies.

Things to know and ask: Prospective owners must fill out a questionnaire and most likely undergo an interview. Be prepared to answer questions, such as, Do you have a fenced yard? If you rent, does your landlord mind if you have a pet? For your part, be sure to ask about the animal's temperament, how much exercise he needs and whether or not he is house-trained. "We want to match animals to the right family," says Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations with the B.C. SPCA in Vancouver. "The last thing we want is for an animal to be returned." Most shelters tell you to go to a vet within seven days of the adoption. If the vet finds a health problem, you will either be reimbursed or matched up with another pet.

Owner's anecdote: Evelyn and Hans Kaes have adopted 12 animals from shelters over the years and wouldn't go anywhere else for a pet. "There are so many animals out there in need of a good home," says Evelyn. "Particularly older ones." One of their more recent adoptees is a Shepherd-Lab cross named Pepper, who had two strikes against him: he was eight years old and didn't like young children. Neither was an issue for the Kaeses. "The humane society had us bring in our other animals to see how they interacted, and they were all fine. Pepper has a lovely disposition," says Evelyn.

Bonus: Many of the dogs that end up in shelters are purebreds between eight months and a year old. Often people get them as puppies and then don't think they're cute anymore. You can also adopt rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and even budgies at a shelter.

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