I have visited few animal shelters. Tell you what, it's like a prison out there. Basically bums, the animals are bums. they don't have a choice, they can't make a decision to go or not to go to the shelters. All shelter I've been at are dirty, smelly, it's like big building garbage can full of animals that are sick. Most of the animals are sick, hurt, or just dieing because of age.People need to take care of their animals. They have a pet for let's say 20 years and then they just take it to animal shelters. That's cruel people. Do something about it. Before getting a pet, you really have to think about the future. think about what going to happen in 5 years. Are you going to move in to a place where no pets allowed. Then you have to do something about your little friend that been with you for so many years.
When getting a pet, my advice to you is to go to animal shelters and pick a pet from there. You are doing good for the shelters. You are doing good for the animal first of all. Get them a new home and take care of them. You will be surprised how you will meet you best friends with out even knowing. http://www.animalshelter.org/