If you are about to join two-thirds of other American families as pet owners, consider the questions below. What type of pet are you considering? Answer these questions about the pet you have in mind.

• What type of cleanup is required?

• How much space is needed?

• How much people-attention will the pet need?

• What do you expect to get back from the pet (cuddling, protection, playtime)?

Don’t make up answers. Do some checking to make sure you know what your choice of pet is really like. If you know someone who has a pet like your first or second choice, consider getting a first-hand opinion about what the pet is like as a family member. If you learn things about this possible pet that will be a problem for your family, think of a second choice.

If you already own a pet, answer your questions about that pet and think about whether it is a good fit for your family. If your answers say it is not such a good fit, think about how you can adjust to the pet’s needs and how you could train the pet to adjust to your needs.