One of the biggest moments in a child’s life is bringing home their very first pet. Falling in love with a new furry friend and learning how to responsibly care for it is a childhood rite of passage.
As winter nights grow colder, the idea of welcoming a new pet to snuggle by the fireside can be especially appealing. Pets offer comfort, companionship and plenty of affection for the whole family, especially through the long months of winter.
Before bringing home a new family member, however, it’s important to be prepared. Adding a new pet into the household is a huge responsibility, but it can also teach kids about hard work, consistency and selfless giving. Preparation is the key to success here.
While dogs and cats are the classic choices, families should not rule out an exotic pet option like a turtle, lizard, fish or snake. Reptiles and fish may not be emotionally responsive like mammals, but they can be a lot less work overall and may be the perfect “starter pet” to see if your child can handle the basics of daily feeding, watering and cage cleaning. Likewise, smaller mammals such as hamsters, Guinea pigs or mice offer cuddliness while requiring less work than a dog or cat.
Many families ultimately choose dogs or cats, and it’s easy to see why. The love, companionship and loyalty these pets bring can make the work of caring for them well worth the effort. With so many dogs and cats in need of loving homes, consider adopting through a local animal organization, such the Humane Society of Central Oregon.
Bend Nest recently sat down with Amber Kostoff, a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and the executive director of the HSCO.
Bend Nest: At what age are children able to help care for a pet?
Amber Kostoff: Under adult supervision, young children can provide positive socialization by petting or stroking an animal, putting away dog toys, leashing up a dog or playing with a cat using a wand toy.
As children mature and have more experience with their pet’s personality, they can take on more responsibility, such as feeding, walking, helping with training or cleaning up after a pet. Those experiences can teach valuable life skills like responsibility, empathy and consistency.
It’s important to remember that adults are ultimately responsible for the pet’s care. A child can be part of the team, but the pet’s health and well-being should never depend entirely on a young person.
BN: Are there safety concerns regarding pet ownership and young children?
AK: Yes, and most of them can be prevented through supervision and education. Just like young children, animals can be unpredictable. Even the friendliest dog or cat can become stressed or overwhelmed in certain situations.
Young children should always be supervised around pets, particularly during mealtimes or when a pet is resting in its favorite spot. I encourage parents to teach children how to interact respectfully with animals and to recognize when a pet would rather be left alone.
Good hygiene is important, too. Washing hands after handling pets, cleaning litter boxes or picking up waste helps keep everyone healthy. Regular veterinary care, vaccinations and parasite prevention are also important parts of maintaining a safe, healthy household.
BN: Should children be involved in choosing an animal at the shelter, or should that decision be left to the parents?
AK: Ideally, both. We always recommend the whole family come to meet the pet before adoption. I love seeing children involved in the adoption process because it helps them feel invested in welcoming a new family member.
We often see success when parents come in first to work with an adoption counselor to choose a set of potential animals that would be a good match based on factors like temperament, energy level, training needs and the family’s overall lifestyle, and then bring a child or children on another visit to help make the final match.
BN: What is the actual adoption process?
AK: The adoption process is usually very straightforward and is designed to create successful, lasting matches between pets and families.
At HSCO, we begin by talking with potential adopters about their home, lifestyle, experience with pets and what they’re looking for in a companion. Finding the right pet is often a lot like matchmaking. Our adoption team helps connect families with animals whose personality and energy level are a good fit.
HSCO’s shelter animals have already been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and examined by a veterinary team before they go home.
The goal isn’t simply to adopt animals. It’s to make sure both the pet and the family are set up for a happy future together.
BN: If a family doesn’t find a suitable pet at the shelter, are there other places to investigate in Central Oregon for adoption?
AK: Absolutely. One thing I remind people is that shelter populations change constantly. If you don’t find the right pet today, that could change next week.
In Central Oregon, families can also explore other humane societies, rescue organizations and foster-based rescue groups throughout the region. Shelter staff can point people toward other reputable organizations if they don’t currently have the right match available.
Patience can really pay off. Finding the right pet is much more important than finding one quickly.
BN: If a pet doesn’t work out for a family, what are their options?
AK: Sometimes a pet and family need time and support to adjust. In other cases, circumstances change or the match is simply not right.
We encourage families to reach out early. A veterinarian can identify medical issues that may be contributing to behavior changes, while a qualified trainer or behavior professional can help address challenges at home. The shelter or rescue where the pet was adopted may also offer guidance.
Our first goal is to understand what the family and pet need and whether there are safe, realistic ways to keep them together. However, keeping a pet in the same home is not always the safest or most humane outcome. If the household can no longer meet the animal’s needs, or if the well-being of the pet or family is at risk, finding a different home may be the best choice.
BN: What are some tips for success when it comes to owning a pet with kids?
AK: The most successful families view pet ownership as a shared family experience rather than a child’s responsibility alone.
A few simple tips can make a big difference:
- Always supervise interactions between young children and pets.
- Teach children to respect an animal’s space and boundaries.
- Create a safe, quiet area where pets can rest undisturbed.
- Establish consistent routines for feeding, exercise and bedtime.
- Use positive reinforcement when training pets and teaching children how to interact with them.
One of the most rewarding things about growing up with pets is the opportunity to learn responsibility. When families find the right match and commit to caring for that animal throughout its life, the bond between children and pets can be truly special.
It’s HSCO’s goal to be a resource for families in need of information or assistance with pet adoption, affordable veterinary care, post-adoption support and rehoming resources. Visit hsco.org to learn more.
This article appears in Bend Nest Winter 2026.
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