Are You Ready for Fido? How to Decide if Your Family Can Care for a Pet
Is your family ready? Every family is different, and it’s important to have an honest discussion about the implications of owning a pet. If you have kids, consider how much they will be able to contribute to such a
While we don’t know exactly why humans keep pets, one fact is certain: Millions of people love them. In fact, nearly 70 percent of households in the U.S. have a pet. But no matter what you see on your favorite dog Instagram accounts, keeping a pet isn’t endless playtime. Ask yourself the following questions before buying or adopting a furry companion. Do you know what you’re getting into? Owning a pet can change your lifestyle. To start, you will have to consider the animal’s well-being when hosting events or taking vacations. You will also have to make room in your budget for pet- related expenses. Additionally, some animals can live for upward of two decades. Discuss how responsibilities will change as a pet ages and what your future will look like before making the commitment. Does an animal fit your lifestyle? When choosing a pet for your family, gather research from animal experts and other pet owners. Calculate the cost of owning a pet, and evaluate how that animal will fit into your lifestyle. For example, dogs are one of the most high-maintenance and expensive animals to own, but they tend to be more involved in family life than a cat or a hamster. That said, your home’s size and location may make it better suited for a smaller pet, as many larger animals require more square footage and plenty of outdoor space.
responsibility. Another factor to consider is how much free time you have to spend with your pet; some animals require more attention than others. To avoid major conflict down the road, discuss care and responsibility plans as a family before welcoming an animal into your home. Keeping a pet can be a source of joy for your family, but it can also be a source of stress. Before making any major choice, talk to your family members and consider what owning a pet would mean for all of you.
Coye Law Attorney Amber Williams Receives Special Recognition for a Truly Selfless Idea
and interests of new lawyers.” Over the past two years, Amber has helped the group spearhead a major new initiative to help provide essential legal services to America’s service people, first responders, and veterans: Wills for Heroes. “These are the people who need estate planning the most given their line of work,” says Amber. To help make sure they received it, Amber set up events where qualifying participants could create a will, living will, and power of attorney (the three foundational documents of any estate plan) in one day for free. “We wouldn’t have cared if only five people showed up,” recalls Amber. “Our goal was to help anyone that needed it and give back. All it took was a few volunteers and few hours on a Saturday.” But a lot more than five people showed up. During its first event in April, 2017, Wills for Heroes served over 80 people in need of estate planning. This year, more than 200 participants have already signed up. The success of Wills for Heroes proves that there was always a need for these services; it was just a matter of making them readily available. We’re extremely proud to work with people like Amber Williams. Congratulations to her and every member of the YLS for donating their time to provide these crucial services to America’s finest.
At Coye Law Firm, we are lucky to have a staff populated with remarkable people achieving amazing things. One such person is attorney Amber Williams, who has been a member of our firm since the days when she was still in law school. Seeing her grow into the attorney she is today has been a wonderful journey. Amber recently accepted the 2019 Chief Justice's Voluntary Bar Assoiciation Pro Bono Service Award on behalf of The Young Lawyers Section of the Orange County Bar Association (YLS). Amber is a founding member of the YLS and a member of its board of directors. The organization’s mission is “to meet the unique needs
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