Guide to adopting a pet

Other owners
(such as neighbours, ads in stores, work, etc.)

Cost: Usually free to a good home.

Pros: This could be your least expensive avenue to pet ownership, and you are providing a good home to a pet in need.

Cons: There are no guarantees of good health or temperament.

Things to know and ask: "Make sure you know the owners or people close to them," says Chortyk. "Ask for history, what the animal's temperament is like and for any vet records." If the animal has seen a vet, get her name and call her directly for information. Ask if the animal is used to being around people. Feral cats are a problem in cities across Canada. If they are truly wild, they usually cannot be domesticated.

Take notice of the pet's environment. Is it clean? Find out what the animal is eating and drinking. How did he greet you? Was he aggressive? "Use your best judgment," says Chase. "Ask if you can take the animal for a trial period. If the owners say, ‘No, take it or leave it,' I'd be cautious." After all, you get no health guarantee with private adoptions.

Owner's anecdote: Suzanne Lacorte had learned of two kittens in need of a good home via a notice at work and went to check them out. The place was a pigsty and Suzanne's instinct was to leave, but the owner threatened to take the kittens to the pound, so the Lacortes took them home. At first they were out of control, and Suzanne was worried, but after three months the two kittens adjusted to their new family and the Lacortes are pleased to have them. Suzanne's advice: "Know the people you are getting the pets from. I assumed the woman at work who placed the notice was acquainted with the owners. She wasn't."

Page 4 of 4