I'm with 33 on the responsibility of owning a pet. Before taking on an animal, understand what the responsibilities involved are. If you're someone who might find themselves in a situation where taking care of an animal might not be feasible, you can probably find a shelter which contracts to take your animal back if something happens. I am general counsel (pro bono) for one of those shelters. Yes, I actually get to sue (well, mostly threaten to sue) animal owners who don't spay and neuter because it's in the contract
