Choosing to add a pet to your family is a big step. Pets add lots of laughter, fun and companionship to our lives. But, they are also a big responsibility. Sometimes, adopting a pet may be too much added responsibility at a stressful time in your life.

Use this quiz to take a moment to assess what’s happening in your life now and in the near future.

Circle or check the following events that have occurred in your life in the past 6 months. Also count any that you think may occur in the coming 6 months.

• Divorce or break-up of a relationship
• Marriage
• Change in living arrangements – new roommates, moving in with parents, etc
• Move to a new residence
• Pregnancy or new baby
• Longer hours or increased responsibility at work
• Financial concerns
• Children leaving home or moving back home
• Caretaking responsibilities for elderly or ill family member
• Significant changes in family routine
• Death of another family pet
• Disappearance of a pet
• Relinquishment of a pet – given away, brought to a shelter
• Significant health problems of a family member
• Change in working status – family member begins work, changes job or retires
• Frequent travel – business or pleasure
• Limited leisure or free time
• Graduation from high school or college, recently or in the near future
• Disagreement among family members about obtaining a pet
• Also count the number of pets you now have (one aquarium counts as one pet)

Scoring

0 – 3: Your life seems fairly stable. Now is a reasonable time to acquire a new pet.

4 – 6: You have lots of things to juggle and take care of. Although pet ownership may still work for you, and adult cat, small mammal, or adult, well-trained mellow smaller dog would probably be more appropriate than a puppy, an active breed of dog or a kitten.

7 – 10: With all the changes and responsibilities in your life now, adding a pet may be that last straw. Realistically, you may not have time to care for a pet. Both you and the animal might be better off if you wail until you life settles down.

More than 10: Acquiring a pet now is not a wise decision.