Pets For Presents?

Although the holiday season may seem like the perfect time to adopt a pet, this is a decision you should make with your head as well as your heart.  While adoption rates tend to increase at shelters around this time of year with everyone wanting to surprise their kids or elderly relatives with an adorable dog or cat for Christmas, by January, many of those pets are returning to the shelters as reality sets in.  Be sure this is what you want to do and make more than one visit to the shelter as there are new dogs and cats coming in all the time.  Be honest when you talk to the shelter staff and volunteers so they can help you find the best fit for your household.  Remember, the animals in shelters and rescues are safe and warm.  For those who have spent weeks or months on their own as strays, it is a comfort just to get regular meals and have someone speak kindly to them rather than shooing them away.  As for puppies and kittens, as long as they have another puppy or kitten to play with, they can make any day a holiday!

 

Here are some important things to consider before bringing that cuddly kitty or precious puppy home for Christmas. 

 

1.  Will you and your family have the time and patience to spend orienting your new pet to your household?  What’s the pace at your house normally, how does it change during the holidays, and how much time will you realistically be able to spend with a new pet?

 

2.  Can you afford the additional costs a pet will mean to your budget every month...especially when all the credit card bills from your Christmas shopping start rolling in?

 

3.  Are there plans for large family gatherings and many strangers in and out of your house during the holiday season?  If so, it may be better to hold off until after Christmas and welcome that new four-legged friend into your home once things settle down.

 

4.  If you already has other pets, will you have the time to supervise as your new addition gets acquainted with them, just in case territorial issues arise over space or toys?

 

5.  If you are thinking of adopting a puppy, be sure to carefully consider the time it takes to crate and house train, play time and time to take the puppy outside to go to the bathroom.  How will you react when the puppy does what puppies do...chew on anything in site until they learn which toys are theirs to chew on?

 

6.  Even house trained adult animals can have accidents in a new place as they get to know you and you learn to read their ways of communicating when they need to go out.

 

7.  Are you willing to make the lifetime commitment your new pet deserves?  Are you willing to work through potential behavior issues that might come up?  The pet you adopt has already been abandoned at least once...please don't be the next person to abandon him/her again because things "didn't work out."

 

If you take the time to answer these questions honestly and you still want to adopt a pet, it will be the ultimate present because you'll be saving the life of another living being and that is a priceless gift!  Just be sure you won't be standing in the returns line when the holidays are over because, in this case, the item you return will know exactly what is happening.  Of course there are no warranties on pets, but there are three things you can always count on: they will love you unconditionally, they will share your joys and sorrows, and no matter how your day has gone, a simple pat on the head or belly rub helps melt the stress away!  

 

So whether you decide to adopt a pet now or wait for a better time, making the choice to bring an animal from a shelter rather than one from a fancy breeder into your heart and home, makes you a true angel who is sharing the spirit of giving!  

 

Happy Holidays to all!!!