Important advice for adopting a pet in a family with children:

* If you’re adopting or purchasing a pet, make sure the animal has been vaccinated. Take it to a local vet for a physical exam.

* Avoid feeding your pet raw meat because this can be a source of infection. Do not allow your pet to drink toilet water!

* Always wash your hands, and teach your child to do the same, especially after touching your pet, handling your pet’s food, or cleaning your pet’s cage, tank, or litter box. Wear gloves when cleaning up after an animal’s waste. Don’t have children clean cages or litter boxes unless there is supervision or until they have demonstrated they can do this safely and responsibly (and again, hands should be washed afterwards).

* Don’t allow your kids to kiss your pet or to tourch it with their mouth. Infections can be transmitted by saliva. Don’t let kids share their food with your pet!

* Keep your pet’s living area clean and free of waste. If your pet eliminates waste outdoors, pick up waste regularly and don’t allow your child to play in that area.

* Don’t allow pets in areas where food is prepared or handled, and don’t bathe your pet in the kitchen sink or bathtub. Wash your pet outdoors or use a grooming service.

* Avoid strange animals or those that appear sick. Never adopt a wild animal as a pet.

* Watch your child carefully around pets. Small children are more likely to catch infections from pets because they crawl around on the floor with the animals, kiss them or share food with them, or put their fingers in the pets’ mouths and then put their dirty fingers in their own mouths.

Recommended books to make your children understand pet behavior:

The Complete Dog Book for Kids by American Kennel Club