Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Are the Holidays a Good Time to Adopt a Pet?

Image result for pet presents
What child has not asked for a pet for Christmas? However,  is giving a pet for Christmas a good idea?  In the past, many shelters and rescues discouraged adopting a pet as a child’s Christmas present and for good reason. All too often a pet is the unfortunate victim of the “shiny toy syndrome”.  After the excitement wears off, and the reality of what it takes to care for a pet sinks in, many pets are left lonely and ignored or worse yet finds themselves back in a shelter. Even worse, many pet owners get puppies at the holidays and then realize that they grow into a big adult dog that need to be trained.  However, this does not always have to be the case; with education and through screening, more pets can be saved and find their forever home during the holiday season.

The first step is to determine if the child is ready for a pet? Their age, time and activity level all should be considered and don’t forget to consider your ability to commit too. The second step is to research types of pets, different breeds, their needs and temperament. These two steps can be key to a successful adoption.  Also, education on the responsibility of pet ownership can help a family understand that this is a life commitment and ensure they are ready for the long haul. With this information a family can better determine if the time is right to adopt and what pet would best fit into their family.