"Mail boxes are overflowing with holiday cards depicting kittens in Christmas stockings and puppies popping out of festive unwrapped packages. It’s no wonder people think animals are the perfect holiday gift for their loved ones, but purchasing a living animal in the chaos of the holidays can either be the ultimate gift or the ultimate nightmare." - carly thacker, 6th Grade
The adoption of an animal (if it’s a kitten, puppy, rodent, etc.) should be thought out very carefully. Unless you play an integral role in the family you’re purchasing the pet for, you probably won’t know what type of animal would fit in best. A meeting with the family is most recommended, because all of the family members can openly discuss their likes and dislikes about adopting an animal. In addition, the family can discuss who will take on certain chores ahead of time, so it will make things run more smoothly in the future.
Make sure to research the proper care and necessary equipment for the animal you’re considering adopting. Information can be found on the internet or your local library. What may have initially sounded ideal--a larger parrot for instance-- may have to be dialed back to a cockatiel or budgie that is less expensive to take care of and is easier to handle. If you are considering adopting a kitten or puppy for your loved one, a middle aged animal or a senior animal would be best. They are more in need of a home, and all of the kittens and puppies are going to be adopted immediately, while the middle aged and senior animals are being euthanized over the holidays.
Before you surprise the family with a new animal, take into consideration the following to determine if the family is ready to take on the care and responsibility of a living creature:
How old are the kids? Different pets are right for many different ages. For example, if a four year old is pleading for a small kitten but is not capable of the hard work and persistence, that is a definite red flag. The family definitely cannot count on the child to care for the kitten. An older child, such as 10 and up, would most likely be more responsible and aware about the hard work and patience they will be facing. Just because a four-year-old child is begging for a cat does not mean they are ready to have one. Instead, you might want to consider adopting a guinea pig for the family, which is easier to care for, likes to be held, and rarely bites, according to, Pets as Presents: A Good Idea? | Petfinder
2. Does the family really want a pet? Most individuals love animals, but not all people want to have a pet running around the house. Just because the family likes petting animals at the park does not mean they want or need an animal as their own. Make sure to check in with the family to see if they still want or need a pet as a holiday present.
3. Are they committed? Pets are not something you can take home, try out, and return to the shelter if they’re not right for you. The family is taking on a large commitment to care for a pet in need for the rest of its life. The family has to realize that it is a lifetime commitment of vet visits, purchasing supplies, and giving unconditional love and attention.
4. Planning the surprise. Once you and the family have thought it through, and feel everyone is ready and committed, now what? It's probably not the best idea to place the animal under the tree until christmas morning--and of course, don't wrap a pet like in all of the holiday television shows and movies you see on your screen. Instead of placing the animal under the tree, it’s better to buy a stuffed version of the pet and have all of the supplies under the tree, along with a gift certificate from the local animal shelter, so the family can pick out a pet together once the chaotic holiday is over.
5. Bringing home the new family member. Before you and the family go pick up the pet, make sure to get everyone involved in what breed, size, and color they are considering. Drive over to your local bookstore or library to research the breed of animal that would fit in best with the family. Once you get an idea on what you and the family are looking for, go take a visit to an animal shelter. According to the ASPCA, millions of dogs and cats enter shelters per year, yet approximately 59 million people adopted animals in each country, and 20 percent are shelter adoptees. By adopting an animal, you will be saving a homeless pet’s life.
Once you have adopted the perfect pet, the whole family will likely end up with a new best friend and companion for a long period of their lifetime. “Family who can have a companion will say it was the most magnificent times in their entire life.” says the ASPCA. I hope the pet(s) you adopted for your family or friend will say the exact same thing and appreciate every moment with their new companion. Thank you for reading this article and I hope you have learned something about adopting a pet for the holidays!
Make sure to research the proper care and necessary equipment for the animal you’re considering adopting. Information can be found on the internet or your local library. What may have initially sounded ideal--a larger parrot for instance-- may have to be dialed back to a cockatiel or budgie that is less expensive to take care of and is easier to handle. If you are considering adopting a kitten or puppy for your loved one, a middle aged animal or a senior animal would be best. They are more in need of a home, and all of the kittens and puppies are going to be adopted immediately, while the middle aged and senior animals are being euthanized over the holidays.
Before you surprise the family with a new animal, take into consideration the following to determine if the family is ready to take on the care and responsibility of a living creature:
How old are the kids? Different pets are right for many different ages. For example, if a four year old is pleading for a small kitten but is not capable of the hard work and persistence, that is a definite red flag. The family definitely cannot count on the child to care for the kitten. An older child, such as 10 and up, would most likely be more responsible and aware about the hard work and patience they will be facing. Just because a four-year-old child is begging for a cat does not mean they are ready to have one. Instead, you might want to consider adopting a guinea pig for the family, which is easier to care for, likes to be held, and rarely bites, according to, Pets as Presents: A Good Idea? | Petfinder
2. Does the family really want a pet? Most individuals love animals, but not all people want to have a pet running around the house. Just because the family likes petting animals at the park does not mean they want or need an animal as their own. Make sure to check in with the family to see if they still want or need a pet as a holiday present.
3. Are they committed? Pets are not something you can take home, try out, and return to the shelter if they’re not right for you. The family is taking on a large commitment to care for a pet in need for the rest of its life. The family has to realize that it is a lifetime commitment of vet visits, purchasing supplies, and giving unconditional love and attention.
4. Planning the surprise. Once you and the family have thought it through, and feel everyone is ready and committed, now what? It's probably not the best idea to place the animal under the tree until christmas morning--and of course, don't wrap a pet like in all of the holiday television shows and movies you see on your screen. Instead of placing the animal under the tree, it’s better to buy a stuffed version of the pet and have all of the supplies under the tree, along with a gift certificate from the local animal shelter, so the family can pick out a pet together once the chaotic holiday is over.
5. Bringing home the new family member. Before you and the family go pick up the pet, make sure to get everyone involved in what breed, size, and color they are considering. Drive over to your local bookstore or library to research the breed of animal that would fit in best with the family. Once you get an idea on what you and the family are looking for, go take a visit to an animal shelter. According to the ASPCA, millions of dogs and cats enter shelters per year, yet approximately 59 million people adopted animals in each country, and 20 percent are shelter adoptees. By adopting an animal, you will be saving a homeless pet’s life.
Once you have adopted the perfect pet, the whole family will likely end up with a new best friend and companion for a long period of their lifetime. “Family who can have a companion will say it was the most magnificent times in their entire life.” says the ASPCA. I hope the pet(s) you adopted for your family or friend will say the exact same thing and appreciate every moment with their new companion. Thank you for reading this article and I hope you have learned something about adopting a pet for the holidays!