Pets add fun, companionship and love to our lives, but they’re also a big responsibility. Choosing to add a pet to your family is a very important decision. Sometimes, adopting a pet may be too much added responsibility if you’re experiencing other life-changes at the same time. Take this quiz to assess what's happening in your life now, and in the near future, to help you decide if this is the best time to adopt a pet.

Check the following events that have either occurred in your life in the past six months, or that you think may occur in the coming six months:

  Divorce or end of a relationship
  Marriage
  Change in living arrangements (new roommates or moving in with significant other)
  Move to a new residence
  Pregnancy or new baby
  Longer hours or increased responsibility at work
  Financial concerns
  Children leaving home or moving back home
  Care-taking responsibilities for elderly or ill family member
  Significant changes in family routine
  Death of a family member
  Death or disappearance of a family pet
  Relinquishment of a pet (given away or brought to an animal shelter)
  Significant health problems of a family member
  Change in working status of a family member (begins work, changes jobs or retires)
  Frequent travel, either for business or pleasure
  Limited leisure or free time
  Graduation from high school or college
  Disagreement among family members about adopting a pet
  Add one point for every pet you currently have (one aquarium counts as one pet).