Owning and caring for a dog can be one of the greatest pleasures a person can have. But too often, people forget that it takes time and money, and that owning a dog is a long-term commitment. So before you adopt, be sure you’ve thought seriously about what it means to own a pet, and that you’ve considered the issues and challenges.

Keep in mind that when you adopt an animal, you take on a big responsibility. You need to take care of your pet, you need to be sure it doesn’t harm other animals or people, and that it doesn’t destroy property.