Having a pet can be amazing.
Pets are often a great source of love and consistency for the lives of in-betweeners including Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Domestic Third Culture Kids (DTCKs) and others who constantly are geographically mobile.
Consider the value pets can add to the life of your family or child who would benefit from the love and stability. It’s a serious consideration that deserves a lot of thought before taking action.
Petfinders.com has a great checklist on what to consider when adopting:
• What expectations do you have for pet ownership? Do you expect a constant companion, travel buddy, running mate?
• Do you have a plan for your new pets around travel?
• For young animals, do you have the time and patience for house-breaking, chewing and high energy?
• Do you have other pets? How will they react to a new pet?
• What do you expect your pets to contribute to your life?
• Is your living space well-suited for a pet?
• What type and size pet would suit the other people who live in or visit your home regularly?
• How will your social life or work obligations affect your ability to care for a pet?
• Have you created a realistic budget including costs like routine care, health issues, accidents
or illness?