Pets as Gifts

Chicago IL

Description

This is 1000 times more important in the midst of the pandemic!!! Shelters and Rescues are overflowing with pandemic pets right now. Impulse pets and unwanted gifts will dramatically increase the burden on animal care workers and their resources next year! Now that the gift-giving holiday season is here, people are advertising pets as "just in time for Christmas" and "the perfect gift". Ethical breeders do not advertise this way because they want their animals to be cherished whatever the season may be. The most responsible breeders won't even produce litters around this time of year. Still, "Christmas puppies and kitties" are popping up everywhere. Please remember that more than half of those gifted pets will end up abandoned in shelters or on the streets a few months after they are given. Don't believe me? Visit your local shelter in January and February, or just take the time to ask someone who works there about it. It's disheartening to start the New Year with a flood of new arrivals when you know most of them won't leave that building again alive. Spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, and various relatives: PLEASE be sure that the person you're giving a pet to is sure they want it and are ready for the responsibility, time, and money it takes to care for an animal. Especially a puppy or kitten. If anything, consider giving an older, trained animal another chance with a new family. PARENTS!!! When you buy your child who is under 18 and still completely dependent on you a pet, you are buying yourself a pet! Legally you are responsible for that animal, so be ready to pick up the slack if your kids "get bored" with their Christmas puppy or find out that cleaning up poop is gross. Ask yourself if YOU want a pet and if YOU are able to spare the time a pet will need. Remember: The difference between a toy animal and a real one is the ability to experience pleasure and suffering. If you do decide to give a pet for the holidays, please consider bringing them into the family before or after the rush of the holiday season so that the transition can be smooth and far less stressful for everyone. A pet is a great joy and giving an animal a home is a deed that can benefit all parties, but only if everyone's ready for it. PLEASE don't add to the 6 million plus animals euthanized in shelters annually by not thinking things through just because "'T'is The Season For Giving." Happy Holidays Everyone!