Pets are awesome. Some are fluffy and others are scaly. Some are humongous while others are tiny. Some are joyful while others prefer to sleep all day in a dark corner all by themselves. All of them are a friend to someone.

A ‘friend’… That’s one of the most powerful words someone can say in a city as large as London. It is even more powerful when said with meaning about someone or something that cares about you on every day of every month of every tear.

I even sometimes feel that a pet is the only real friend one can have in his or her life. But that’s not the point right now. The point is in how you can get a pet in London.

Many believe that finding a decent flat that allows animals is the primary issue. It is not. We can help you find a pet-friendly property in just one day. No biggie.

Finding your fluffy soulmate on the other hand, now that’s what I call a challenge. Yes we have the internet nowadays that simplifies everything, but you can’t just find a website and order the fuzz ball online. It’s not a pizza we are talking about after all.

And, truth be told, your journey should begin way before actually looking for a four-legged friend. It starts with you.

Are you ready?

Finding a pet is not at all about fun and games. You will be giving home to a helpless creature that will depend on you with its life.

This brings up a series of serious questions:

• Do you know how to take care of an animal?
• Are you skilled in feeding, training and grooming?
• What about the diet? Do you know the best one?
• Are you ready to do a lot of walking with your flufster, because even if it is a cat we are talking about you will need to take it to the vet, shop for him or for her, etc.
• Lastly, do you have the cash? Can you afford your pet beyond just buying it?

Emotional maturity and financial stability are the two key elements to owning a pet. If you are not confident in both, please do not read any further.

How to find a friend?

Gov.uk gives many great tips for those looking to get a pet in London. Sure, most of the material is cat and dog-focused but I feel like the same advice can be applied when looking for more exotic representatives of our fauna as well.

The question is – should you? Not every warm-loving animal would feel at home in London you know. This thought should mentally get you back to the “are you ready” portion of this article. And if you are, please keep on reading:

• Only purchase an animal from a reputable supplier. This is the only way for you to be sure about the health condition of your new friend as well as the required paperwork.
• Check the history of the animal before the purchase. A chance to meet with the pup’s or the kitten’s parents is worth more than gold as you will see your friend all grown up in them.
• Check the documents, certificates, receipts from the vet and pet insurance.
• Safety first: even if you are sure in the seller, your animal’s history and record, etc. still take it to the vet. You know what they say – better safe than sorry.

Ok, these tips are great and all but they require a god seller, ergo a good breeder. How does one find one in London? By putting on the Sherlock hat on and checking out the clues, of course!

• Ask to see your soon-to-be pet with its parents. This shouldn’t be an issue for a good breeder. Moreover, this is common practice.
• Same goes for seeing the rest of the cubs . You shouldn’t be shown just one unless it is the last one from the batch.
• Check the registration in any clubs. Great breeders are usually members of a club like the Kennel Club. All of their cubs are also registered members and go under the names of their parents,. In simpler words, you can check out the family history of your pet as if it was the Queen.
• Lastly, you are to be offered a receipt for your purchase. Not for your pet, of course, but for its registration in the appropriate Pet Club. I know how hard it is to think about papers with a fuzzy ball of fur on your arms, but DO NOT forget it. It’ll save you a lot of time and effort in the long run so don’t forget to grab it on your way out.

Try adoption

Lastly, there is yet another great way of finding a pet in London. Try adopting and rehoming an animal from the closest animal care center. It will not have the fancy titles and passports, sure, but it will have soo much more.

Your new friend will have a history. He or she would have come to you with existing experience and appreciation for your care and love.

Lastly, many of the animals from shelters have never experienced true love. They don’t know what a real family is. Can you imagine what it feels like to teach THAT to something?

And what is your opinion on the matter? Breeders or adoption? Please, share!