Melanie Chitwood, a seventh grader at Barrington Middle School, holds Coco, the golden retriever-cocker spaniel mix her family rescued from a shelter in Georgia.

In the heart of the jewelry district at the Providence Animal Rescue League, a sturdy-looking muscled German shepherd named Hazel stands stoic and dignified in the corner of her cage.

A beagle, Lucy, is shivering and cowering behind bars. Two Westies pace inside their two-by-four-foot space. In the next cage over, a Chihuahua jumps up and down.

James Robinson, the league’s director of development, stands before the rows of cages in the building at 34 Elbow St. He happily reports, over the dogs’ barking, that poor Lucy has been adopted. “She will be going to a good home,” he says. He notes that many of the dogs here were brought in by owners who couldn’t care for them any more. The animals that are too sick or lack socialization will be euthanized.

As I look at these dogs I think of my pampered pooch, Coco, a cocker spaniel-golden retriever mix that we rescued from a shelter in rural Georgia last April. She would have been euthanized if we hadn’t adopted her. Had she been like Lucy, scared and confused?

“You can see the dog’s soul,” said Robinson, explaining that everyone who works at the Rescue League is an ‘animal lover.”

I tell him that I want to take all the dogs home with me.That’s how many people feel when they visit a shelter. But it’s that kind of impulse decision for a cat or a dog that often lands the pet back in a shelter, said Katenna Jones, an Animal Behaviorist and Special Agent at the Rhode Island SPCA ( www.rispca.com) in Riverside.

“There’s much to consider before adopting,” said Jones.

So, before bringing home one of the 7.5 million pets currently ready for adoption, animal experts suggest you consider these guidelines:

•Decide if you can afford a pet.

The average annual cost of owning a medium-sized dog is about $600, estimates the New York City-based American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( www.aspca.org). That includes food, an annual medical exam and vaccinations, heartworm prevention medication, toys and treats, and a license. Additional one-time expenses are estimated at $270, which includes getting the pet spayed or neutered and buying a collar and leash, a carrier, and a crate. Long-haired dogs may need professional grooming.

If you get a puppy, initial visits to the doctor can be once every six weeks. You also have to be prepared for unexpected medical expenses such as injuries. During Coco’s first vet checkup in Rhode Island, it was discovered that she needed hundreds of dollars of dental work. Some pet owners are investing in pet medical insurance.

•Do your research.

Before my family adopted Coco, we did what the experts suggest: research to find the best kind of dog for your family. We read about the different breeds to find the one that suited our lifestyle. We ruled out a lap dog because of our energy level. We wanted a dog that would be outside with us.

We decided to look for a medium-sized adult dog. The Rescue League says you need to calculate how much time you have available to spend with a pet. We realized we needed a trained dog, who could spend hours at home alone while we are at work or at school. That means we didn’t want a high-energy breed, because we knew we didn’t have the time to provide several hours of exercise a day.

If you have children, choose a dog that has the temperament for lots of noise, activity, clumsy handling and roughing up. In this case, avoid tiny dogs or breeds known for being skittish. Some 70 percent of those bitten by dogs are children under age 15, with young boys between ages 5 and 9 being the most frequent victims, says the Centers for Disease Control.

My youngest was 12 when we introduced Coco into our household. After that age, the incidence of bites begins to drop, Jones said.

“You certainly shouldn’t bring home a puppy the same day you bring home a baby,” advises Ed Sayre, president of the ASPCA. “And never leave an animal home alone with a child.”

•If you have other pets, keep in mind compatibility.

Cats exposed to dogs at an early age are more likely to accept a canine as a house buddy, says the rescue league. Remember that guinea pigs, birds and other smaller animals need to be protected from cats and some dogs.

We have pet mice, and we keep the mice up high where Coco can see them, but not get into the cage. So far, Coco has shown no interest in them beyond occasionally staring inquisitively into the cage.

•Consider how much work different types of dogs require.

How much commitment do you want to make to cleaning up after your pet? Some dogs drool; some shed a lot or not so much. Many dogs are messy eaters; others spit up food. Are you prepared to put more of an effort into cleaning your house?

•Do you want a breed?

If you decide to go with a purebred, you can still do your part and rescue one. Nearly every breed has a rescue league. You can find those shelters on the Web or at the library. All animal rescue leagues screen prospects, so be prepared to go through a process to determine if your family is appropriate for the breed.

•Who’s in charge?

Before you bring home your new pet, decide which parent will be the primary caretaker. Children need to understand the responsibility of getting a pet. . Set ground rules, and expect a couple of months before your new pet is acclimated.

fzuckerm@projo.com