For many people, a house just isn't a home without a furry friend underfoot. And with so many animals in need of homes, many animal lovers can't stop themselves from adding a second pet, or more, to their families. However, when there's already a pet that rules the roost, there are things to consider before arriving on the doorstep with a second pet, and ways to ease the transition for everyone.

Some pets like having friends
According to the Humane Society of Canada, there are more than 16 million household pets in this country, with dogs and cats being the popular choice to the tune of 14 million. And while each animal is different, it's safe to say that they are generally social creatures that enjoy each other’s company. "Animals are definitely less lonely when they have a friend," says Michael O’Sullivan, chairman and CEO of the Humane Society of Canada. They're not even picky about what kind of friend, so feel free to mix cats, dogs, rabbits and more. "In farm situations with horses, you'll always find a goat. For some reason, horses like having a goat around," says O'Sullivan.

More important is knowing the personality of your current pet and gauging how they react to other animals. If your feline is an older, settled cat, he may not appreciate having an overactive kitten as a mate. In the same vein, if your dog tends to be aggressive at the dog park, she may be better off flying solo at home.

Money matters
No matter how fond you are of animals, O'Sullivan would like to stress that love is not enough when it comes to having pets. "You have to have enough time to give individual attention to each animal, enough patience to deal with them and enough money to care for them." The financial implications cannot be denied. Depending on where you live in Canada, the average cost of keeping pets can be $1,200 per pet every year. And that cost can increase significantly as your pets age or should they become ill. By taking an animal into your home, you're committing to care for that animal for the rest of his life, so consider your resources carefully before adding a second pet to the family.

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