Getting a Pet During the Holidays
Experts used to think that pets given as gifts during the holidays were more likely to be given up once the newness wore off, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
“But I want a puppy!” Sarah pleaded as she and her mom walked by an adoption display at a local pet supply store. Sarah had cajoled her mom into looking at the adorable mixed breed puppies in the special pet adoptions booth. Rein-dog costumes and red and green rawhides decorated the storefront. Sarah’s mom wondered if getting a dog for Christmas might be just the right present for her daughter.
Experts used to think that pets given as gifts during the holidays were more likely to be given up once the newness wore off, but that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, there’s a movement to place unwanted pets during the holiday season called Home 4 the Holidays, spearheaded by the Helen Woodward Animal Center. In 2005 alone, animal shelters participating in the program placed a record 328,777 pets in new homes.
But should you get a puppy or kitten as a present for someone? Only if it’s a present for someone in the immediate family (and living with you) and only if that person really and truly wants a pet. Giving a pet as a surprise gift can have disastrous consequences, especially for the pet, if the recipient is unappreciative of the gesture. Many pet owners prefer choosing new pets themselves.
One problem with giving a pet during the holidays is that it tends to be such a busy time of year that the recipient has no time to spend with the new member of the family. New pets need extra time to bond with their new owners. They also need time to learn the house rules. Getting a puppy as a gift means many sleepless nights and plenty of accidents. Young puppies can’t be confined longer than four hours and need to be let out to potty. If the recipient’s schedule can’t handle these demands, now may not be the right time for a new pet.
The holidays aren’t just busy, they can also be a dangerous time for a new pet. There are plenty of harmful things to get into like chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, alcohol and other delectable but dangerous foods. Even leftovers can prove hazardous – fatty, rich meats can upset a dog’s stomach and even cause pancreatitis, and sharp poultry bones can cause perforations in the intestines. Food isn’t the only hazard – Christmas tree ornaments can be quite enticing to both cats and dogs.
So, should you get a pet around the holidays? Fill out this questionnaire to decide whether or not you should adopt a pet during this busy season:
- Is the animal for someone who is in your immediate family and who really wants a pet?
- Can the recipient devote many extra hours to taking care of a pet?
- Are the holidays going to be on the quiet side, with enough time for the new pet owner(s) to care for the puppy or dog?
- Is the house already pet-proofed?
- Can you provide the supplies necessary to care for this pet?
If you can’t answer the above questions with a “yes,” maybe this holiday season isn’t the right time for you to add a new member to your family. And if you know someone who wants a pet but you’re not sure what type, a gift certificate to a pet supply store might be the ticket. Or, you can give various pet supplies as holiday gifts and offer to take that person to the shelter after the holidays to help choose that very special pet.
Find out more about the Home 4 the Holidays program at: http://www.animalcenter.org/home4theholidays/index.aspx
Margaret H. Bonham is a four-time award-winning author of 22 books, including Dog Grooming for Dummies, A Dog's Wisdom, Take Me Home: Dogs Make Great Pets and Take Me Home: Cats Make Great Pets.