The perfect match

Pet Match Can you match the pet (left) that's best-suited for the owners listed below? Answers, below. Photos by Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Shadowman is a 4-year-old domestic short-hair. He loves being read to and watching television programs, especially "The Crocodile Hunter."		Toni Polancy, 63, of Kihei, lives in a one-story home with a fenced yard. The full-time writer works from home and likes to exercise.
Archie, 8, Winky, 3, and Betty, 6, are poi dogs that love going on daily walks and running on the beach.		Marty Hutchins, 41, lives in a Waikiki condo. He chose a pet that will last a lifetime.
Shaka, 6, is an African gray parrot who likes sitting around, watching television and calling out for his friend, Pheobe, a dog.		Jean Rogers, 65, lives in a condo in Makiki. She is a full-time saleswoman at a bookstore and enjoys reading to her pet.

So you live in a tiny apartment and want to adopt a Great Dane? Think again.

Want a Siamese cat to run with on the beach? Don't think so.

Looking for affection from a goldfish? Not going to happen.

The number of possibilities for pets are endless. And the considerations before buying one should be too, experts say.

Impulse adoption or purchase of an animal is one of the least-desirable ways to get a pet, said Marty Hutchins, animal behavior program coordinator at the Hawaiian Humane Society. "The more research you can do up front, the more likely your chances of being happy on what you finally decide on," Hutchins said.

The first thing prospective pet owners should do is make sure their lifestyle fits the type of animal they are considering.

"For instance, if you have a very tiny yard and you don't exercise, a labrador probably isn't the greatest pet (for you)," Hutchins said. "Or if you need something that doesn't make noise, then a screaming parrot is probably not a good idea."

Another question to consider is whether you want a pure-bred animal, said Toni Polancy, author of "The Hawai'i Pet Book: Keeping Your Cat and Dog Healthy, Happy and Housed in the Tropics" (Barefoot Publishing Inc., $19.95).

"If you want a purebred, it's absolutely necessary to talk to breeders and find out about it," Polancy said. Responsible breeders are happy to share information such as personality characteristics and genetic health issues.

Information on selecting Hawai'i breeders may be found in Polancy's book (for dog or cat breeders), at the humane society or through a veterinarian.

After choosing a pet, Hutchins recommends spending time with the animal before making a decision. He suggests looking at whether the animal is people- or environment-centered. If it is focused on people, does it respond more to adults or children, men or women?

Wherever a pet may come from — private home, breeder, pet store or humane society — Polancy recommends the following:

• Look for signs of good health and care. The animal's coat should be clean and free of matted fur or parasites, it's eyes should be clear and clean with no signs of running or mucus buildup, and its ears should be clean.
• Get in writing the name of the animal's veterinarian, its health history and shots it has had.
• If the animal is pedigreed, ask for papers and have the seller sign and date them. Don't pay first and agree to receive papers later.
• Get a history of problems the animal may have had with children and other pets, being fed with other animals, and being housebroken or running away.

Taking such things into consideration is crucial, because bringing a new pet into the family is more than an investment of money, said Eve Holt, spokeswoman for the humane society. "It's an investment of time, because you're making the commitment for 15 or 20 or more years. You want to make sure that you're bringing a pet into the family that is just going to be a wonderful member of the family and a perfect match."

Pet-match answers: Jean Rogers is the owner of Shadowman, the short-hair cat; Marty Hutchins owns the African parrot, and Toni Polancy owns the three dogs.

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.

On the Web:

• www.animed.org, Pet-care information from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
• www.petsmart.com, Petsmart products and pet information.
• www.purina.com/dogs or www.purina.com/cats, Purina breed selectors and information.

Personality matters

•	The right breed For a copy of the American Kennel Club's brochure "Selecting a Responsible Breeder," call the Hawaiian Humane Society at 946-2187, ext. 223.

A pet's personality becomes more important when considering creatures that interact with people, such as dogs, cats, rodents and birds, says Marc Morrone, host of the syndicated TV show "The Pet Shop."

"Those are the animals that recognize individuals," he says.

Personality can determine whether a dog or a cat is OK around other pets or young children, says Sam Kabbel, president of Pet Behavior

Solutions, an Arizona business that advises owners and shelters on animal behavior.

Sometimes a dog's behavior simply reflects its breeding, she says. Dogs bred to work eight hours a day, such as terriers and border collies, won't be happy cooped up indoors. Australian cattle dogs inherit an instinct to herd cattle by nipping at their heels. "So you have children around, and the children are actually being herded and bitten," she says.