Making the decision to get a companion animal is such an exciting experience. There couldn’t be anything better than opening up your home – and your heart – to a furry friend, who becomes a member of the family in their own right. During this time, it’s hugely important to do your research to ensure you find the right type of animal and breed to suit your lifestyle. One option, and a very worthwhile one at that, is to adopt, as sadly homelessness isn’t a problem that’s unique to humans. On average, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (battersea.org.uk) take in an average of 13 dogs and nine cats every day – which means a lot of animals without a place of their own. Over the next pages we have everything you need to know about how and why to adopt an animal.