Pointers on picking a pet | SILive.com

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - ALL SHORES - I am proud to announce a new addition to our family. Nope, it is not another baby; it's a perfect little Battle Fish we have named Boo-Boo. No, he cannot go out for a walk, and there is absolutely no way to play fetch, but Boo-Boo does do something to our family that has never happened before. We sit around his 6-inch-tall tank and marvel at the way he swims, eats and sleeps.

Getting your family ready for a pet is a huge responsibility, no matter how big or small the new addition may be. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for a new arrival in your home.

PICK WISELY ?
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Although my 6-year-old may be mature enough to understand that a pet is a living, breathing being that requires care, watching my 3-year-old chase after our neighbor's dog shows me she hasn't the slightest understanding of what to do around an animal. So, when it comes time to find an animal that can bring happiness to your home, think about the long-term responsibility and maturity levels.

Fish may need minimal work to maintain, but they do require some attention to keep healthy, like keeping the aquarium clean. Boo-Boo's current home, a plastic see-through box with gravel and a fake fern, can take almost a half hour to clean and it must be done at least once a week.

Small, furry friends, like hamsters, ferrets and gerbils, can be very independent pets, who are happy spinning wheels or sleeping in a curled-up position. But when you look at the cost of buying rodents like these, the larger cage and fun accessories, the total price may outweigh the fun factor, especially if the novelty of having the pet wears off after a few days.

Pet Smart, located at 1520 Forest Ave. in Port Richmond, has a wide variety of small pets, including the soft chinchilla, which can cost upwards of $150 each. A relative of the guinea pig, this low-maintenance rodent does not need outdoor time and stays clean by taking a dust bath (a roll around in special dust made of fine pumice), two to three times a week. A starter-home for the chinchilla can cost $100, plus the cost of food and additional accessories.

TEACH PATIENCE ?
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Traditional pets, like dogs and cats, require significantly more attention. Non-traditional pets, like snakes and lizards, require special handling. When purchasing a pet that demands more responsible behavior, your child might also get a crash course in learning to be patient.

Taking Sparky out on a walk during a rain storm can make your child wish he had never brought the dog into his life. Or, when the slithery snake that looked exotic in the store grosses your child out when it starts to digest its dinner, take the opportunity to reinforce a sense of humility and calm. Emphasize all the fun times your child has experienced with her pet.

Remind your child that raising a pet is similar to living their daily lives. Those disgusting or tiring times ultimately lead to good times. Share with your child the importance of sticking to their responsibilities and that a pet is not something that can be discarded when the novelty wears off.

If you are looking for the perfect addition to your home and a place where your kids can be taught how to take care of a new pet, then visit Animal Haven at 251 Center St. in Manhattan. This non-profit organization finds loving homes for abandoned dogs and cats throughout the tri-state area. It offers the Caring Kids program, a free initiative that aims to strengthen the bond between humans and animals.

The hour-long weekly program encourages young people to become animal advocates in their communities. It meets every Friday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for kids 5 and older. Give a call at 212-274-8511 or email KendraM@ah-nyc.org to enroll.

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