A Pet is Not a Toy
Thinking of adding a furry family member as a holiday gift to the kids? You might want to wait until after the holiday mania subsides. Holidays are an extra-busy time; leaving people with little energy for the sustained attention a new pet needs and deserves. Amid the flurry of gifts, children may relate to a new pet as just another toy to be played with, then ignored.
Visit animal shelters after the holidays
When you really are ready for that new pet, consider a visit to your local animal shelter. But wait until after the holidays - when the shelters are full. Pets given impulsively as holiday gifts often wind up in shelters after the recipients realize they’re not ready for such a responsibility.
Cats and Dogs of all ages detour through animal shelters. Some are relinquished by loving owners; others have been rescued from abuse. The only thing they all share is the need for a new home. Most shelters have adoption specialists who help match people with the right pets.
If you are not quite ready to adopt, but would like to help homeless animals, make a holiday donation to your local shelter. Many shelters have wish lists of supplies they need, ranging from paper towels to computers. Gifts of money are always appreciated, and you might benefit tax wise from this year-end contribution. But cash and goods aren’t the only way to help. A few hours of your time spent exercising or socializing shelter animals can make a huge difference in their quality of life.
The right way to give a pet as a gift
If you still want to give a pet as a gift, be sure the person is really ready for the responsibility a pet brings. If your Aunt Tilly assures you she’d welcome a new kitty or pup, tell her you’ll accompany her to the shelter after the holidays. Then let her make the actual selection. This will be her animal friend for years; they should like each other from the start.
You can “give” your kids a puppy or kitty at the holidays without actually bringing home a new pet. Gift-wrap an assortment of pet supplies: toys, a collar or harness, leash, bed, food bowl, and so on. These are all the things you’ll need to buy for a new pet, anyway. And it will be fun for the kids to open the pile of presents marked “to Fluffy, with love.”
When you do visit the animal shelter, look for these traits:
Clear eyes: Runny or matted eyes can be symptoms of ill health.
Cheerful disposition: If a dog or cat is sullen, he may be sick or overstressed.
Enjoyment of being handled: Some animals are defensive when touched.
Interest in you: Though he may not be affectionate yet, the animal should show interest in you.
Observe the pet’s reaction to children and other animals.