The following is a short, simple but important guideline. It will advise a parent or guardian how to teach their children the importance of being a reliable adoptive pet parent.

Set a precedent. Teaching kids that adoption is a wonderful way to find a new family member will help perpetuate that attitude throughout their lives.

Introduce societal issues. Adoption introduces children to an important issue in our society—pet overpopulation. It also gives them an opportunity and the experience of helping to make a difference by adopting their own pet, which provides a valuable lesson for any child.

Teach compassion. Introducing a child to a pet who has had a difficult start in life can help a child develop compassion for another’s plight.

Lead by example. A common misperception is that shelter pets do not have homes due to behavioral or health issues. Adopting a wonderful pet and introducing him to family, friends and neighbors can go a long way in changing people’s minds.

Love is an all important issue with pet adoption, particularly for a shelter animals, and while it might be true that a dog or cat was not a good fit with their former family or had to be placed in a shelter for tragic reasons, such as the death of its original owner, that does not mean your family and your new adopted pet are not a perfect fit for each other.

For more information on this and other topics please go to the ASPCA website.