Many families eventually consider bringing a furry (or scaly) friend into their home at some point. According to the American Pet Association, of the 102.8 million households in America, 33.2 million have at least one pet. Pets are great decisions for practically any family, but deciding the who, what, when, where, and how of doing so is critical to ensuring the most healthy situation possible for both the animal and the family.

Listen to your children’s requests

Perhaps your children express a love of unicorns and tigers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be practical in their animal wants. Even if they are not making specific assertions, make educated guesses based on their personal interests. For example, is there a particular kind of stuffed animal they tend to choose most, such as rabbits or dogs? Do they connect well and/or give a lot of attention to a neighbor’s cat? Is there a television show’s animal (such as the golden retriever on "Full House" or the naked mole rat on "Kim Possible") that they particularly enjoy? Thinking about their natural inclinations with animals can be a reliable guide for the process. Take them to a pet shop and observe them closely. Pay attention to detail however, often rapt attention given to a certain area, such as rodents or birds for example, can reveal your child’s surprising sadism. Be sure to note what sort of animals your child harasses or taunts, these obviously would not make good choices for pets. Don’t be deterred however from animals entirely if you see this, it is typical of many young children to tease certain animals. Almost every child has a soft spot and mature interest in some creature, so don’t give up! When you see your child with the animal they feel akin to most, it is an endearing and insightful moment. As much as 75% of homes with an animal chose pets (especially dogs and cats) because it helps a child's development. A connection with an animal is a great emotional bond for a child to make, and one that many children make easily.