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THINKING OF GIVING A PUPPY OR KITTEN
AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT?
Please Read This FIRST!!!
Everyone is familiar with the scenario... a puppy or kitten
peeks out of a stocking or from the open top of a cheerfully
decorated box, surrounded by wrappings, toys and other gifts
under a Christmas tree. It warms our hearts and makes us want
to experience those moments ourselves.
However, the holidays are NOT the time to
bring a new puppy, kitten or even adult animal into the home.
Puppies and kittens need time to adjust to being away from
their mother and the first few weeks of their time in a new
home needs to be quiet so that they can make that adjustment.
Unfortunately, the holiday season is usually just the opposite
-- a house full of sights, sounds and smells that can confuse
and scare an animal. Adult animals also need quiet time in
which to adjust to their new surroundings.
In addition, the holidays are fully of things
that intrigue animals, but can be very dangerous to them --
strings of lights and extension cords to be chewed on,
metallic decorations and tinsel, glass ornaments, plants and
more. Because things can be so hectic, many people don't have
the time to supervise their new pets properly and disaster can
strike within seconds.
New puppies and kittens also need your
attention in regards to training. Housebreaking and simple
obedience training takes time and commitment, and in the rush
of the holidays, many people don't have the time nor the
commitment to train new pets properly which may lead to
problems down the road. Many, many animals are turned into
shelters across the country for "doing their business" in the
house or chewing up the rug when in fact, they were simply
never trained properly. Remember, sometimes we are asking them
to do something (go outside in the case of dogs and use a
litter box in the case of cats) that is not a natural behavior
for them and they need time and patience in order to learn
this. Unfortunately, both time and patience can be very
difficult to come by during the holiday rush.
In addition to the time constraints during the
holidays, many people get caught up in that "little ball of
fur" effect and forget to take into consideration the fact
that the animal is going to grow up into an adult -- perhaps
growing into a size 4, 5 or 6 times what they see now. We hear
stories every day of how a dog "is too big now" and "we don't
have the room". These animals didn't do anything wrong. They
simply grew up and now they're not wanted. They end up in
shelters, not knowing why.
Every spring, we are overwhelmed by the amount
of animals we receive at the shelter that started out as
"Christmas" pets. The excuses are many -- "too busy for him",
"he got SO big", "isn't housebroken".... and more. Many of
these situations could have been avoided if people would just
remember that an animal is not a toy -- it's a living,
breathing creature that is totally dependant on you to train
it correctly, spend time with it, feed it properly, exercise
it, take good care of it and LOVE it. It is not a "prop" used
for a photo on a Christmas card.
If you are absolutely set upon getting your
family a puppy, kitten or adult animal for Christmas, consider
this alternative instead: purchase a leash, a collar, a good
book on raising a puppy or kitten, a gift certificate for a
veterinary checkup or a spay/neuter certificate, a gift
certificate for obedience classes, a book or video tape on the
topic of how to select the right dog for your family, or a
gift subscription to one of the dog or cat-oriented magazines.
Wrap these up and put them under the tree. As family members
unwrap the various pieces of the "puzzle", their delight and
anticipation will grow. They will gradually understand what
this present is! Then, after the Christmas tree is taken down
and the frenzy of the holiday season is behind, the family can
once again enjoy together the anticipation and excitement of
discussing and selecting a pet.
When that day comes, we encourage you to bring
all the members of your family to the Hillside SPCA or your
local animal shelter where they can meet the residents and
perhaps, find the perfect pet from among the many animals who
need good, loving homes.
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