Holiday Presents:  If You’re Considering Giving A Pet…WAIT!`

Thinking about giving your kids or your best friend a new pet as a holiday gift?  Think again.  For many families this season is filled with excitement, over-extended schedules, and rushing from store to store to make sure you’ve got everyone on your gift list covered.

Then comes the big gift-giving day, with cooking, sweet treats, friends and family coming and going – and all that traffic through your front door.  It’s so easy for an animal that’s unfamiliar with the new environment to escape and maybe never make it back. Maybe everyone’s so busy they’ve simply forgotten about their new little family member, a furry friend who’s hungry, or misses her previous home.

Could that kind of benign neglect happen in your or your friend’s home if you’ve given an animal as a holiday present?

“If you’re going to give a gift, don’t give a pet,” says Addie Soares, who’s conducted adoption interviews for MCHS since 1988.  “And if you’re going to give a pet, don’t give it as a surprise gift.”

"Caring for an animal is a commitment for its entire life, so you and your family – or your friend’s family – all need to be involved in the adoption process.  That means no surprises under any circumstances," Addie states emphatically.

“Here at MCHS, we stop releasing animals for adoptions a couple of days before Christmas until right after the holiday when things have calmed down some,” says shelter operations manager Carol Johnson.  “But at pet shops, they do a ton of business on Christmas Eve.  They don’t care where their puppies go.”

"Ideally, picking – and giving – a dog, cat or other small animal should be a family choice," Carol adds.  "Whether as a gift or for any other reason," she explains, “Parents choosing a pet for their kids should really pick one for themselves.  Ask yourself:  Will I be able to do all of the care that’s required – feeding, walking (if it’s a dog) and other exercise, playtime, love and affection, and vet visits?  Your kids will grow up and have their own future.  They can pick their own dog then.”

Addie says giving a pet over the holidays is a mistake.  It’s better to wait until the season is over and the commotion has died down.

The Montgomery County Humane Sociey offers an alternative in the form of a pet adoption gift certificate.  The certificate is a promise of a visit to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter to pick out a pet of their choosing.  Wrap up the certificate, along with a leash, water bowl or toy and you have an exciting present!  Click on the certificate below to print out your own gift certificate.  We will see  you after the holidays!!!

Pets Are Not Surprise Presents

http://www.happypawshaven.org/humane_holidays_with_your_pets.htm