Inexperienced pet owners often are not sure what questions to ask or what to expect. You may also be asked if you’ve had to return an adopted pet in the past.

Some pets need more space to move around than others. You may also be asked if you have a fenced-in backyard or easy access to a dog park.

Landlords and roommates may have strong opinions about pets living on their property. Sometimes they will be contacted to verify that it is acceptable to have a dog or cat, so make sure to have their contact information ready and available.

Young children may not yet know how to be gentle with a new pet, especially during the excitement of the first few days. Conversely, older senior citizens may not be able to handle the energy of a younger dog or cat. It’s helpful to bring these people with you on adoption day if possible to get a sense of how they interact with the new dog or cat.

It’s important to know the temperament of your current pets so you can be sure your new addition is a good match. Other pets may become aggressive or threatened with a new pet around the house.

Pets tend to have their own expenses, including food, supplies, and toys. In case your new pet has special needs or health issues, are you financially prepared to handle them?

If you’re out of the home a lot, you’ll probably want to plan for a way to keep your pet from becoming lonely. You might be asked about your work schedule to help the shelter worker understand how long the pet may spend each day at home alone.

Bad habits take time to handle, so if chewing, barking, scratching furniture, accidents indoors, etc. is unacceptable in your home, the best time to mention it is during adoption.

This does not necessarily mean that this pet will not be great to adopt — it just means they may require special attention or care.