2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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
6. Pets are Not Accessories
• Require
– Love
– Food
– Water
– Shelter
– Proper housing
– Proper environment
– Money
7. Just Because it is Alive
• It may not be
– Happy
– Healthy
– Able to be held (sometimes)
– Getting enough attention
– Content with the situation
8. 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.
9. 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
10. 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.
12. Step 1 Find a Pet You Like
• Look in pet stores
• See what you like
• Remember it
• Go home without buying the pet
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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>.
18. 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/>.
19. 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.
