How can I get my parents to let me have a pet?

Answer 1

Talk to them about getting a pet, and make a good argument as to how responsible you will be in taking care of it. Maybe you want to start out small (hamster) and work your way up? (dog/cat)

Go to a shelter for a dog or cat and make sure that they are spayed or neutered! Good luck! : )

Answer 2

When I first told my parents I wanted a dog, they said no because we already had a cat. That was 8 years ago, and I have an 8 year old border collie now.

What I did, was search the internet for information about specific breeds (this applies to all animals, cat, dog, frog, etc) because most breeds have charcteristics that will fit with your's and your family's lifestyle (hint: make a checklist about your family's lifestyle and determine the most suitable breed based on that, not on looks! Also, do a bit of research about medical conditions that commonly face breeds, as this will give you an idea as to how your pet might be.

Did your parents have any pets when they were younger? Sometimes, if they have fond memories of a pet, they may like to get another just like their one they had when they were little. This may backfire though, as there may be too many sore memories associated with the loss of that pet!

Ask your friends and relatives about experiences with their pets to ensure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. The responsibility thing rarely works, so instead, show your parents how much you want a pet. My friend started out with a duck, and now he has a cat. Just remember how much of a commitment this actually is!

Good luck.

Answer 3

I have two answers. One from me and one from my son.

This is my Mom answer: Wait until you grow up and move away from home and you can have all the pets you want.

This is my son's answer: Do what I did. When she said I couldn't have a gerbil, I bought one and gave it to her for a Mother's Day gift. She was, okay, royally pissed and she cried when little Tammy the gerbil eventually died but I got a pet and didn't even have to clean the cage because it was mom's gerbil!

Advice from the Mom in question: Don't do what my son did. Some day your mother WILL get even with you. I am still doing things to get even with that brat for doing the gerbil trick.

PS Be sure you are ready to spend a lot of time and money on a pet. I suggest you start to volunteer at a local humane society or volunteer as a local pet sitter if your mother won't let you have a pet. Or start with a goldfish or a jade plant. If you aren't willing to take care of a goldfish or a jade plant, you aren't ready yet for a pet. It truly is a big responsibility and few people realize how much work a pet can be if it's well care for and lavishly loved -- and all pets should be.

Answer 4

im going through the same problem and i think what i am doing is working. [i want a cat]
first, you have to show them you are responsible enough. my parents didn't really think i was that responsible, so i had to start showing them that i am responsible. for example, start doing things w/o your parents nagging you about it. clean your room. get off the computer and do something else. READ A BOOK. [or at least PRETEND]
then, after you think they get that you're more responsible, tell them what great life skills you'll learn from having a pet. you have to take care of it and take responsibility for another living creature. you have to feed it and clean up after it. you could also write them a letter or set up a powerpoint about the pros AND cons of having a pet. that might show that you would be more serious about it. [just a suggestion]
well that's all i could think of. hope that helped. good luck!

Answer 5

it is totally unfair to a pet unless the whole family wants it... ultimately most places wont sell pets to kids because they know a pet is a LIFE TIME commitment and kids are not ready to make that commitment even though they feel like they are...

as a parent (we have lots of pets) if I dont want a certain kind of pet - we wont get it because I know that at some point I will either have to look after it or nag somebody else to.. even if its only for one day, that is one day too many - also parents are the once financially responsible so they need to be commited totally to wanting a pet

it is unfair to a pet when mom says "if you dont look after it then we get rid of it" because inevidably at some point the kid grows up and is ready to move out and cannot find a place that allows pets so the poor old pet - not welcome at home is either dumped or destroyed becuase nobody understood LIFETIME COMMITMENT!!

therefore untill your PARENTS want a pet - do not get one - save your money so when you move out you can buy your own home and can get as many pets as you want ---- like I did :)

Answer 6

Be very mature about it. Don't beg our whine, but ask sensibly and explain why you think you can handle it and how badly you want one. If they say no, ask why but don't push it, always accept their answer at the time. If it's a puppy you want, everytime that you see them on TV or in person after that just be deeply affected. make it clear through body language and facial expression how badly you want one. Ask again during an encounter with the animal, or say directly to the animal so that your parent can hear it, "I sure wish I could take you home, sorry baby" or something real heart wrenching like that. Offer to pay for it. all of these things could work.

Answer 7

You shouldn't, if they don't want a pet, then don't push the issue, there could be problems if you do and get a pet, and something happens, then there is only heartbreak because of it. Sometimes even animal abuse by them.

Answer 8

Tell them about the millions of innocent pets across the U.S. who were on death row and got the needle, in a single year.

Answer 9

that's a hard one. If you have a yard, promise to keep it outside. If that doesn't work, start being the perfect child, help clean up, offer to wash the car, show that you are dependable...then maybe you will have a better chance if they can tell you are responsible. Good luck

Answer 10

Tell them that you are a responsible person. Have a talk with them and tell them that you think you're really ready to take care of an animal.