Making a New Addition to the Family this Holiday Season? Opt for a Shelter Pet!

Christmas is just around the corner, and many of us are starting the nightmare marathon that is Christmas shopping. Some of you may have a request for a pet on that Christmas list, and if you have decided this is the year you will bring a pet into your home, there are a few things you should consider before heading out to find the perfect pet.

There are many options when choosing a pet, you have many animals to choose from, but if a cat or dog is what you are looking for, may I suggest a shelter pet? Sure you COULD go to a pet store and pick out a puppy or kitten, but do you really want to support puppy and kitten mills? Do you really want to purchase a pet whose health is questionable? Of course not! You could search out a breeder and buy a pup or kitten from them, OR you could save a life and rescue a shelter pet. I have always opted for the shelter pet. As a matter of fact I have never considered anything else when looking for a pet.

There are many options when looking for a rescue pet. You can search online for rescue groups in your area with adoptable pets. A great resource to use is the petfinder web site. To check it out go here; Petfinder. There are many rescue groups with Facebook pages, they showcase adoptable pets on a daily basis, most are eager to help you find that perfect furry companion. If you have checked online and found nothing that appeals to you perhaps it is time to load up the family vehicle and take a trip to the local shelter. Wonderful animals await families in shelters all over North America.

Whatever you choose to do please remember that if you buy from a pet store, you will be supporting the abuse of thousands of animals in puppy and kitten mills. However if you choose a rescue pet, you will get a loving companion, and save a life at the same time.

Giving the gift of a feline or canine companion to a loved one can be a wonderful gift, however there are a few things that you should consider before rushing out to buy.

1.) Have you discussed this gift with the giftee? By this I mean are you 100% sure that the person receiving your warm fuzzy gift is prepared to take on the responsibility for a pet? Far too often people purchase animals as gifts, only to have them end up in the shelter system because the giftee did not want to take on the responsibility for the daily care of a pet.

2.) Are you 100% sure that the pet you have chosen is the right size and species for your giftee? By this I mean make sure the breed sex and species of your gift are correct for the giftee. You wouldn’t give your 70 year old grandmother a great dane puppy when an adult toy poodle would be more suitable. Very often furry Christmas gifts end up in shelters because they grow too big or are not the right type of pet for the giftee.

3.) Have you taken into consideration the living space of your giftee? For example, when purchasing a pet for cousin Joe who lives in a trailer park, you are not going to purchase a Newfoundland retriever or a St. Bernard, but may instead opt for a Jack Russel or a domestic shorthaired cat.

4.) Is there room in your giftee’s life for a pet? For example, if cousin Flo works twelve hour days, and is seldom home, a dog would not be a good gift for her, but an independent cat would be more suitable. If Grandma is in a wheelchair, a cat would be a better choice for her than a dog that must be walked several times a day.

A pet is a wonderful gift that brings joy for years to come. Pets make great gifts, as long as the person receiving them is ready to take on the responsibility. Before giving the gift of a pet make certain that it is a gift that will be well received.

Have a great Holiday Season,

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK

Janette