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Awful Allergy Alert

December 1, 2018

My Dad Won’t Let Me Get A Pet!!!

Hey Brandon,
I really want a pet and I’ve been asking forever but my dad just says no. This is so upsetting because I love pets. Now I’m really depressed because I’m never going to have one!! Help!!!

I Want A Pet Pretty Please

Hey I Want A Pet Pretty Please,

It’s always such a bummer to hear from someone who really wants a pet but can’t get one. But it’s common – so at least you’re not alone.

So first of all, I think you should talk to your dad and ask (with NO whining) what his reasons are for saying no. If you know WHY he’s saying no, then you can figure out if there’s something you can do to change it.

For example, if he’s saying no because he or someone else in the household is allergic to the kind of pet you want, well, then I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do about that.

But if he’s concerned about costs, you could do some research to figure out the costs, not just of adoption, but also food and vet bills for your pet. And then you could figure out how much money you could contribute to help pay those costs.

He still might say no, but if he sees you being reasonable and thoughtful about how to problem-solve, there’s a chance he might say yes.

If there’s no way to change his mind, remember that it doesn’t mean you’ll NEVER have a pet. At the very least, you can have a pet when you’re older and living on your own. OR your family situation might change, like someone might get a higher-paying job, etc. So, never say never. 🙂

In the meantime, if you can’t have a pet in your home for now, that doesn’t mean you can’t have one in your life at all.

My first suggestion would be to volunteer at a shelter like Fuzzy Friends. Shelters always need help. And sure, you’ll do some sweeping and cleaning out cages, but you’ll also get plenty of time snuggling the animals. Shelters want the animals to stay comfortable with people, and they want to get an idea of each animal’s personality. Volunteers are really important for that.

You could also let your neighbors know how much you love pets. Then, when they go on trips, or even just have a long day at work, they may ask you to come over and feed their pets, play with them, etc.

I hope this helps. I know you’ll have a pet one day, and I hope it’s sooner than later!

Have you ever convinced a parent to let you get a pet? If you’re not allowed to get a pet, how do you find ways to hang out with animals? Tell us in the comments.

Category: Ask Brandon Tags: dad, Petsnikki

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 7, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    You know, you could get on of those robotic pets! If you take really really good care of it, your parents might see that your responsible and that you can work with a pet! It might not work for you, I am just trying to help.

  2. Anonymous says

    December 7, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    I also want a pet, but I’m not allowed because there is no one to mind a pet when I’m at school

  3. Someone Dorky says

    December 7, 2018 at 8:48 am

    I have a unicorn at home. who else?

    • #WENGIECORN says

      December 9, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      I have a purple and pink and sky blue and white and other unicorn colored one!

  4. Pet Priate says

    December 7, 2018 at 6:39 am

    This is really embarassing but I had a ton of fun being first mate to my hamster Nibbles. She would sit on my shoulder and run across my neck.

  5. Anonymous says

    December 7, 2018 at 4:53 am

    I used to have a dog but later , my family moved into a new house and we had to abandon our dog.

  6. Dorky Pastel Cake Yt says

    December 7, 2018 at 4:13 am

    I totally get you!!!!! I’ve been wanting a pet like forever! But, getting a pet is a biiiiiig responsibility!! You need to take care of it walk it if it gets sick take it to the vet etc. I suggest you ask again and say you will help take care of it AND KEEP YOUR PROMISE!!!!!!! I would get a dog next year cause I just moved house and yeah…. also your parents might be allergic or something so reason with them and yourself

  7. Drama queen says

    December 7, 2018 at 2:19 am

    I have a cat but im allergic my sister whined enough that my parants git one my face is always red now

  8. DarlingDear says

    December 6, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    omg hi everyone i want a pet too but i have to wait until 6 grade one more year

  9. Potterhead says

    December 6, 2018 at 7:53 pm

    Tips to remember:
    1. DO NOT WHINE
    2. State your argument calmly (it can help to prepare some arguments beforehand)
    3. Instead of yelling, “THIS IS SO STUPID!” or something like that, try to use stronger vocabulary
    4. Try to achieve a compromise

    Home this helps!
    ~Potterhead

  10. never use your real name says

    December 6, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    hey brandon i really want a puppy too well even if i have a big house so i can get a puppy too

  11. pupiesssssssssssssssssssssssss says

    December 6, 2018 at 6:59 am

    What I did to get one: wished on every dandiline in the yard, and then that night we got a dog.

  12. Someone Dorky says

    December 6, 2018 at 5:44 am

    i have a unicorn in my house.

  13. YO-GO-DORKY says

    December 6, 2018 at 5:42 am

    Oh yes I can TOTALLY relate with that!
    I’ve been begging my parents to get me a dog for like YEARS, but the never agree!!!!!!

    Who else wants a pet but can’t get one?

    • Dork says

      December 9, 2018 at 4:11 am

      Yep, me too!

  14. Nervous Wreck says

    December 5, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    Dear I Want A Pet Pretty Please,

    Another way you can at least hang out with animals is you can ask your friend if they have a pet. If so, try to go to their house sometime. If not, well… Brandon gave you all the advice you need.
    Hope this was useful!

    Sincerely,
    Nervous Wreck

  15. D is for dork says

    December 5, 2018 at 6:02 pm

    My family had a pet before I was born

  16. Miss R says

    December 5, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    It’s too bad you can’t get a pet. Well cheer up, I don’t have a pet either. I used to when I was little, but it died. It was a cat. However, when I was 9 I would’ve gotten a goldfish, cause my mom said I could have one. But, my dad sad no! 🙁 So when I get older I will have a pet.

  17. You're not the only one says

    December 5, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    I hang out with my friend’s adorable cat because my mum won’t let me beacause of school! 🙁 🙁

  18. princesses says

    December 5, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    I had a pet she was a girl but she died while giving birth

  19. Underused shoe girl says

    December 5, 2018 at 11:23 am

    Hey Nikki,
    I don’t like shoes. I don’t want to tell my friends because I feel like they won’t be my friends anymore. What should I do? Please help me!
    Bye!

    • Dork-is-Aork says

      December 10, 2018 at 3:50 am

      ??? Why would your friends don’t like you if you told them that you don’t like shoes???????

  20. Tiger girl says

    December 5, 2018 at 9:44 am

    I’m going to have a fish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  21. puppyparis says

    December 5, 2018 at 7:28 am

    I love my dog, her name is paries, and i call my self puppyparis on games i play

  22. cool girl says

    December 4, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    I have a pet named Bella and she is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Lana Mata says

    December 4, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    I love puppies too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  24. Clover says

    December 4, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    PUPPY LOVE 4 EVER!!! PAW – SOME

  25. DorkyMe says

    December 4, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    To be honest, I’m not much of an animal person. My favourite animal is a panda, but since I wouldn’t be able to have than as a pet, I’d go with a kitten!

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