Yes, it’s that time of year again. People are visiting pet stores looking for a puppy for their child or loved one. While seeing a face like the one pictured would capture anyone’s heart, is getting a pet for Christmas the right thing to do or not?
I am not totally against the idea BUT there are consequential reasons for not giving a pet for Christmas that I feel people completely underestimate.
I see more animal organizations campaigning to adopt a pet for Christmas and I have to wonder if they fail to see the potential pitfalls of this practice.
If you know someone sincerely wants a pet and understands the responsibility associated with having a pet, I would lean toward giving a pet for Christmas. But, it takes more than that to convince any real animal welfare advocate to promote this.
First, DON’T get a puppy or kitten from a pet store. All pet stores SELL these cute furballs to naive consumers who are told the puppies have arrived from a beautiful kennel or they know the breeder personally. LIES on both counts. Pet stores that sell puppies BUY them from brokers who in turn get them from puppy mills, including PA. If you buy a puppy from a pet store, think about their mothers and fathers stuck inside these disgusting, abominable breeding facilities where the dogs are kept in their cages 24/7 for the sole purpose of breeding puppies for pet stores. These are commercial breeding facilities where hundreds of dogs are kept in small cages with minimum care and never know what it is to touch grass or feel the touch of a loving hand. When you buy from a pet store, you are aiding and contributing to the puppy mill industry.
There are a few pet store chains that allow adoptions such as PetSmart. At the Temple and Wyomissing PetSmart stores, kittens and cats can be adopted from 1by1 Cat Rescue.
Second, have you taken into account the cost of having a pet? While having dogs is a passion of mine, it comes at a price. Shadow, my precious, sweet dog who died earlier this year from acute respiratory distress was in the Emergency Hospital twice this year to help his condition. His life was spared the first time but was unsuccessful the second time. They did everything they could to save him but it was not to be. Those visits came at a steep price. I would do it again but can you AFFORD to take your pet for regular veterinarian check-ups, let alone emergency visits? Can you afford if your dog/cat becomes ill and needs tests and/or surgery?
My dog, Jazz, has oral melonoma- cancer of the mouth. He has been receiving radiation therapy and will be receiving the Canine Melanoma Vaccine to prolong his survival time. All of this comes at a high price. It’s worth it to me because he has a good prognosis. But are you willing to do that for your pet? Pets cost money. Food, toys, vet visits, grooming etc…must be taken into account when getting a pet.
Third…..do your research on the type of pet you will get. Understand the breeds. If you are a laid-back person, you certainly don’t want a hyper dog or high-energy dog. Just because it’s cute as a puppy doesn’t mean it won’t grow up to be a BIG dog. Look at the feet. If you see big paws on a puppy, it’s a clear indicator that puppy will grow into a large dog and will no longer possess that cuteness of a puppy.
Fourth, is Christmas time the ideal time to introduce a pet into your home. Many homes are filled with families that have traveled from all over. The place is hectic. Is it fair to scare a puppy around those circumstances? The puppy most likely won’t be trained to do his business outside. What will you do if he/she has accidents inside the house? Can you handle this?
Fifth, the decision to get a pet needs to be a family decision. Everyone needs to know their role in the care of having a pet. If you’ve never had a pet, do you understand what is entailed in the responsibility of having a pet. Are you willing to make a lifetime commitment to that pet?
I worked in a shelter for years and saw how people adopted pets for Christmas only to have the animals returned in a few months after the novelty wore off. Reminds me of a gym membership one gets on January 1st. People enter fitness centers in droves for the first few months and give up. If you get a pet, you can’t give up on him or her.
They are counting on you, depending on you to give them what they need 24/7. Their very lives are dependent on YOU. Can you handle the lifetime responsibility?
If you decide Christmas is the right time, only ADOPT a pet from a shelter or reputable breeder. I cannot emphasize enough NOT to buy from a pet store!
If you have answered yes to all of these conditions, giving a pet for Christmas may be the right decision for you and your family. As I said, I am not totally against it but the pitfalls MUST be considered. Don’t feel pressured to get a pet at Christmas time by any animal organization. In fact, any reputable shelter/breeder should know and understand if you and your family are candidates for giving a loving home to a pet not only at Christmas but throughout the entire year.
I ask that you please you take all reasons into consideration before ADOPTING a pet for Christmas. Be honest with yourself and your family. You need to know this decision is fair to the pet and the family.