Adoration may turn to apathy or even hostility when children lose interest in an animal who needs special care and feeding. Before Giving Adding a companion animal to the family is a big responsibility. Adopting an animal is like adopting a child, in that it means making a permanent commitment to care for and spend time with the animal and to provide for him or her in case of one's absence for the entire life of the animal. Before adopting, consider the time and money involved in proper animal care. If a family decides to adopt an animal, everyone should go to the local shelter to choose the animal, having already discussed the obligations and longterm commitments involved.
Most communities require annual licensing for dogs and cats.
In many areas, leash laws require dogs to be restrained on a leash when on public property. Too Few Happy Endings Animal care and control agencies are filled beyond capacity with animals no one wants. Whether they are dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, chicks, ducks, or goldfish, some people regard them as expendable. Animals are often simply abandoned on the road or in the yard when the family moves away. Others are passed on from home to irresponsible home as the novelty of having an animal wears thin at each successive place.