Before bringing a fur baby home, potential owners understandably want to weigh the pros and cons of pet ownership. Pets require so much time and effort, but keep in mind you have plenty to gain in return.

Based in the city of Chicago, Famous Fido Rescue & Adoption Alliance has saved thousands of animals in the last 30 years. They provide food, shelter, veterinary health-care, spaying, neutering, training, and adoption information to the community.

Weight loss, hyperactivity, aggression, digestive issues—we can all agree these symptoms are anything but normal in cats. Combined together, they can indicate the presence of a thyroid condition called hyperthyroidism. This disease means the thyroid gland is overproducing hormones that regulate the metabolism and your kitty’s energy levels.

Cancer is a scary word pet parents prefer not to think about. Owners would rather wait until they’re confronted with the dreaded diagnosis. After all, fretting over the worst case scenario isn’t very productive!