If you work away from home, perhaps a cat would be the best companion for you. For example, a large shepherd-mix might do better in an apartment then a smaller, more energetic terrier. Before going to a shelter, know everything you want in a pet except what the animal will look like. Very often the pet with the qualities you are looking for will come in an unexpected package. Decide how much time you can spend with the animal and the amount of responsiblility each person in the family will take.
Promises made by children are likely to fade after the initial excitement of having a pet wears off.
Adults in the family should be prepared to provide most of the animal's care. Screening Animals for Adoption While you are deciding on your family's pet criteria, shelters are screening animals for certain qualities, too. In addition to a health exam, some shelters perform a basic temperament screening to find animals who are friendly and sociable, both with people and other animals. But the most important test is for tolerance. I'm talking about finding a dog you can actually hold and that seeks attention from people.