Animals should NOT be Holiday Gifts

It's that time of year again. Everyone is calling and wanting puppies and kittens for their kids for the Holidays. These pets are very popular to adopt out right now but come Janurary or March many people are calling because they "bought" their kids a PET and their KIDS aren't "caring" for it so they want us to take it off their hands.

First, NEVER buy your children, your spouse, your Mom, etc. ... a pet without their knowledge. Also with you knowing that if they don't care for the pet it becomes your responsibility. So many times in pet stores I have overheard this conversation

Kid: " Mommmm, PLEEEEEEASE will you get this bunny(kitten, hamster, puppy, bird!) for me!

Mom: "Do you know how much work a pet is?"

Kid: "But MOMMMMMM, I will do ALL the work, I will walk it, clean up after it, feed it!" And heres the kicker: " I PROMISE!!!!!" PLEASE MOM!!!!"

Mom: "Well, if you promise...lets do it."

Three months later...phone rings at their local Animal Control.

ACO: "Hello, Animal Control, May I help you?"

Mom: "Oh my goodness, I bought little Johnny a lizard at the pet store, they said it was a great first pet, no one told us it would grow to 5 feet and bite!" plus little Johnny PROMISED he would care for it and I do ALL the work!"

ACO: "Really..."

Mom: "Can you take it!?"

arghhhh.....

Here are some pictures of unwanted and some dangerous impulse buys from a pet store around the Holidays. The American Alligator was actually dropped off at my house the day after Christmas last year!

Here at your local kennels we really spend time with a family or person to discover if this is the right time for them to bring a pet into their home. If they can financially care for it for years (not just hand over a credit card today). We have all the family members of the adopter (including 4 legged ones) come to meet and greet the possible new addition. We discourage "impulse" adoptng and always give the adopter time to think before they go through with it.

Please think hard about purchasing a pet from a store this season...Holidays can be stressful enough without the added chores of a new pet. Pets are a decision not to be made lightly and should be a forever, how long they live, decision.