Impulsively Buying Pets

By Nick Boudreau

Introduction

At one point, you probably saw something cool in the shop. You might have bought the item soon after seeing it, just because you wanted it. This is Impulse buying. This presentation is on why not to impulsively buy pets.

Reasons for Impulse Buying Pets

• To show off

• It is “cool”

• You think you will like it

• Interesting pet to watch

• Irresponsibility

• Demands of family or family member(s)

• Potentially dangerous

Story 1

One time, I bought a crayfish for my tank. I thought it was cool, but had no idea about it. The crayfish killed plenty of fish, and eventually it died. This is relative because I bought it because I wanted it, not because I had kept them and knew about them. It ended badly because I did not know about how to take care of it.

Problems

• 7 million animals enter shelters yearly in the United States

– 3 million or more are euthanized

– 2% of cats are returned

– 20% of dogs are returned

• Releasing pets causes damage

– Most die

– Can take root and cause problems

– Introduce Disease

Pets are Not Accessories

• Require

– Love

– Food

– Water

– Shelter

– Proper housing

– Proper environment

– Money

Just Because it is Alive

• It may not be

– Happy

– Healthy

– Able to be held (sometimes)

– Getting enough attention

– Content with the situation

Story 2

Another time, I bought an “awesome” piranha named Jaws. Later, I purchased more. They lived in a ten gallon tank. Unfortunately, they died in a power outage after a few months. When I researched piranhas later, I found out that the tank was way too small and too cold. This is important because that

piranha was definitely not

happy, even though it was

alive.

Family Matters

• One person may want one pet for the family

– Others may not

• Reach consensus

• Decide who will take care of it or what part of it

• Decide where it lives

• All choose right, specific animal

Story 3

At one point, I wanted a ferret. No one else in my family did. I researched and presented information. I begged and begged, but I did not get a ferret. This shows that one pet may not be right for everyone, and that everyone should agree on it.

Responsible Pet Buying

Step 1 Find a Pet You Like

• Look in pet stores

• See what you like

• Remember it

• Go home without buying the pet

Step 2 Research the Pet

• What to research

– Adult size

– Housing size

– Price of animal

– Price of supplies

– Ongoing costs

– Needs and care

– Natural habitat

– Other’s experiences with it

Step 3 Decide if It is Right for You

• Talk to family about what you want

• Explain all important information

– Especially care, costs, and size

• Show pictures

• Share good and bad experiences of other’s

• Show pros and cons of owning this pet

– All pros and cons should be weighed equally

• PowerPoint presentations work well for this part

Step 4 Prepare

• If you are allowed to get the pet, do this first

– Buy supplies

– Prepare home for pet

– Check if everything is correct for it

Step 5 Buy the Pet

• Choose your pet from a reputable place

• Pick specific one that looks healthy

• Follow acclimation directions given

• Do not hold for 4 days so it gets used to the new home (if applicable)

• After 4 days are over, enjoy your new pet

Bibliography

• Slide 1

– Ferret Picture: Croonenberghs, Mary. "Pet Ferret Care Made Easy! All About Pet Ferrets!" Pet Care Tips! All Pets! Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Lizards Etc! Pet Care Portal, 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.pet-care-portal.com/pet-ferret-care.html>.

– Dog Picture: W., Monica. "Love Across the Border." Pet Adoption: Want a Dog or Cat? Adopt a Pet on Petfinder. Discovery Company. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.petfinder.com/index.html>.

• Slide 2

– "Piranhas as Pets L Feature on Piranha Ownership | BallerHouse.com." BallerHouse.com L Cool Home Products. Baller House, 18 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.ballerhouse.com/2008/01/18/cannibals-in-your-living-room-piranhas-as-pets/>.

• Slide 4

– "Crayfish as Pets! My Electric Blue Boy « Random Bits of Projects." Random Bits of Projects. Crayfish as Pets! My Electric Blue Boy, 4 Sept. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://virtuallyamy.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/crayfish-as-pets-my-electric-blue-boy/>.

• Slide 5

– "'Change a Pet's Life' on Jan. 24 - Latimes.com." Blogs - Latimes.com. Las Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2009. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/01/change-a-pets-l.html>.

Bibliography

• Slide 6

– Croonenberghs, Mary. "Pet Ferret Care Made Easy! All About Pet Ferrets!" Pet Care Tips! All Pets! Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Lizards Etc! Pet Care Portal, 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.pet-care-portal.com/pet-ferret-care.html>.

• Slide 7

– http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/01/27/human-contact-can-transfer-disease-to-your-pets.aspx

• Slide 8

– Red Belly Piranha. RedBellyPiranha.net, 4 July 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://redbellypiranha.net/>.

• Slide 10

– "Ferret | Cute N Tiny." Cute Animals and Baby Animal Pics - Cute N Tiny. Cute N Tiny, 4 June 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://cute-n-tiny.com/tag/ferret/>.

• Slide 11

– "Pet Memorial Holiday Gifts | Pet Memorials from the Heart Blog." Pet Memorials | Personalized Dog, Cat and Bird "Loving Heart"Memorials. Pet Memorials from the Heart Blog, 14 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://petmemorialsfromtheheart.com/blog/2010/12/14/pet-memorial-holiday-gifts/>.

Bibliography

• Slide 12

– "VCA Animal Hospitals | Tips on How to Keep a Pet Healthy." Pet Health, Emergency Vets, Veterinarians | VCA Animal Hospitals | Home. VCA Animal Hospitals, 4 May 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/news/pet-news/tips-on-how-to-keep-a-pet-healthy/38>.

• Slide 15

– "Custom Terrariums For Home & Office." Saurian Enterprises. Saurian Enterprises, 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. <http://saurian.net/customTerrariums.html>.

• Slide 16

– "Miscellaneous Lizards 11." Aqualand Care Sheets. Aqualand Pets Plus, 15 Apr. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2011.