I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. In nine days, people will have spent money they don’t have, charge their credit cards to purchase presents and put themselves further into debt and feasting on food that will cause some to open a button or two to allow room for dessert. But, I digress.
Christmas morning, thousands of ecstatic children will find themselves mesmermized by the puppy or kitten given to them by well-meaning parents or loved ones all across the nation.
As an animal advocate/activist, I have seen up close and personal how parents, boyfriends and other loved ones are on a quest to find a pet days before Christmas for that special person in their lives. Many animals are adopted from shelters for this reason. Adopting from a shelter/rescue allows the adoptee to learn about the new family member from employees who possess valuable information about the chosen pet. Regrettably, more people will buy from pet stores. As a rule, all animal advocates will explain why you should NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store. The majority (99% of all puppies or kittens sold in pet stores come from puppy/kitten mills, if not 100%.) By purchasing from a pet store, you, the consumer, are inadvertently promoting the abhorrent and ruthless puppy mill industry and allowing remorseless and unsympathetic commercial kennel operators become wealthy. The manner in which these ruthless puppy mill farmers become prosperous is at the expense of dogs being caged 24/7 in impoverished conditions for the sole purpose of breeding inferior puppies for unsuspecting consumers, especially at Christmas. Never BUY a pet from a pet store unless it only allows adoptions. Adopting or buying, the question nevertheless remains.
Should you give a pet for Christmas or not? That is the question!
The majority of the animal advocates I’ve spoken to about this age-old and vital question have indubitably spoken in unison and clearly stated NO to giving a pet for Christmas. I also had spoken to other animal advocates via Facebook who belonged to a foreign animal rescue (which will remain nameless) and made it crystal clear that this mind-set belongs in the stone-age. Some even stated that Christmas is actually the best time to give a pet. Who’s right? Is there a right answer? Let’s explore.
Having worked and volunteered in animal shelters/rescues, I’ve witnessed many pets, particularly dogs (puppies) surrendered after the holiday “high” wore off and reality set in with the responsibility of having a pet 24/7. Dogs are more dependent upon us to take care of them. This includes taking them outside, going for walks, feeding, playing with them, exercise, and wanting to give their undying and unconditional loyalty to us. In my opinion, when parents want to see their kids’ faces light up on Christmas morning after receiving a request for a pet, I feel many parents don’t visualize the responsibility of having the new puppy would fall on their shoulders. In the end, many pets are surrendered to their local animal shelters with a pet who began his/her life at the happiest time of the year and now is sitting in a kennel on a cold floor (in some places) a few months later, confused, lonely and wondering, “Why am I here?” “What did I do?” The answer is, ask the grown-up!
As I wrote earlier, I asked animal advocates who all have firsthand experience working in a shelter/ rescue environment about this age-old question. One rescuer will not adopt over the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. because she has been the recipient of the returned pet. She said the only manner in which she would adopt is if she knows the adoptee has a clear understanding of the obligatories associated with having a pet, adoptee has no problem with a home visit and fills out a complete application. These are few and far between. This rescuer had a wheelchair dog – meaning the dog required the assistance of a wheelchair attached to his body so he was able to move. She received many Christmas applications for this dog. She refused to adopt him at that time. She told them to email her in February if they were still interested in this special dog. No one applied. Are you surprised at this? Me, either.
An idea I like was suggested by a woman who is in agreement with the majority of those who are against giving a pet for Christmas. Her suggestion was giving a smaller animal to a child in which the child would be responsible. A hamster, for instance. If the child is faithfully able and capable of being responsible for the small animal, allow them to have a dog or cat after a sufficient amount of time has passed to show their capabilites of handling a pet. I think it’s a great idea and should be implemented and encouraged more often by parents. This also indicates a parent who is more conscientious of the accountability of having pet.
Other rescues have given me similar reasons. One imporant reason that most advocates are against giving a pet at Christmas is the chaotic scene at home with visitors coming and going, having loved ones staying for days, the pet not receiving the attention it needs because of how busy everyone is and eventually the child loses interest in the new pet. All lead to the direction of not ideal conditions to introduce a pet into a new home at Christmas. I concur.
Now the other side of this equation. I’m seeing an increase of shelters encouraging to adopt pets for Christmas which, quite frankly, is surprising to me. I’m not totally against giving a pet for Christmas but I don’t go out of my way to encourage such an important decision.
I’ve read posts on Facebook that literally had me shaking my head. It’s one thing to tell people to adopt but to say it’s the absolute best time of the year to adopt an animal was mind-boggling. I attempted to explain that a percentage will be surrendered after the holidays. I also stated millions of animals are euthanized in shelters each year in the U.S. I was asked to give statistics to explain how millions of homeless pets are euthanized each year after the holidays. My words clearly did not indicate that perception but my explantion fell on deaf ears and didn’t change the interpretation of one exclusive woman. This person misconstrued what I said and no matter what I said, she wasn’t going to agree or attempt to read the correct statements I made. The majority of these people were completely in favor of adopting a pet for Christmas and believe it is a brilliant idea. I’m not completely against adopting a pet for Christmas under the right conditions, but I won’t ever say this idea is resplendent.
We have those for and against adopting a pet at Christmas. So, what is the right answer? The majority of animal advocates unmistakingly feel giving a pet is wrong while others feel the opposite end of the spectrum.
I don’t agree giving a pet as a surprise for a Christmas present. Whether the pet is for a child or an adult, the recipient of a living, breathing, feeling animal is a monoumental liablity for the person receiving the pet. To please a person without regard to the pet is a mistake and a surrender possibly waiting to happen. Does it always happen? No, but I have seen for myself those Christmas pets returned approximately beginning in February and March. Much like gym memberships, the newness and the idea that you must keep up with it to make gains becomes too monotonous and the new people simply abandon the workouts. According to a source of mine, 50% of Christmas pets are returned.
If a loved one wishes to introduce a pet into someone’s life at Christmas, I highly suggest that person is aware of the care, both physically and financially, for the new pet.
I feel it’s best if it’s a family decision. Take your family to your local shelter and spend time with some of the animals. Possibly volunteer to become acquainted with the homeless animals. As you associate with the animals, your family can see what type of animal suits and fits into your lifestyle and personalities. Plus, you give the added bonus of teaching your children about homeless animals and how many are looking to be adopted. It’s a win-win situation.
Two ideas come to mind instead of giving a pet. Give a gift certificate to your local shelter where all can take their time to look for the right pet after Christmas. For children especially, you can give a stuffed animal or toys for a dog or cat, pet food dish, brush, etc and let them know they will go as a family after the holidays to look for the new family member at a shelter or a rescue.
As my friend, Erich Trapp, of 2dogs2000miles said to me, “People and animals are meant to pick each other.” So true, Erich. Allow your children the opportunity to be a part of this important process of adopting a pet.
The last quote I will say is this: “Christmas is for presents. Pets are for a lifetime.”
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and I hope you will make the decision to add a new pet to your family a shared experience. Please make a lifetime commitment for a new pet and not just a Christmas present.
Leave a Reply