Because it's the Holiday season, I wanted to encourage all of you to make the right decision if you're thinking of giving someone an animal as a present.
Animal companionship can be wonderful—but impulsively acquired animals are often discarded when the novelty wears off. Our animal shelter always receives a sudden influx of abandoned cats, dogs, rabbits, and other animals, many of whom are former companions who were deserted or passed around before ending up in a shelter cage. And it's not only at Christmas - we see chicks and rabbits in HUGE numbers right after Easter.
Adopting a companion animal is an enormous responsibility and carries long-term obligations—as long as 10 to 20 years. New puppy parents must have loads of time and patience for exercise and housebreaking—all too often, dogs end up crated for hours on end or trapped at the end of a chain in a cold backyard. Kitten companions need daily play and grooming and are only being their curious, athletic selves when they claw furniture or climb Christmas trees. Caring for a companion animal requires cash to pay for food, toys, and veterinary care, including spaying or neutering. Animals, especially young ones, require vast amounts of time, patience, and money—all of which are scant during the holiday season. Ball State University psychologist Dan Lapsley agrees that the holidays are no time to bring home a new puppy or kitten who can too easily “be lost in all that hoopla.” Instead, give the animal lover on your gift list some other appropriate gift - one without a heartbeat.
Thinking of giving a kitten or puppy to a child on your list? Think again! Children have fleeting attention spans—their interest in walking the puppy and scooping cat’s, rabbit’s, or hamster's litter quickly wanes—meaning that those duties will soon be added to their already overworked parents’ “to-do” lists.
The decision to get a puppy or kitten should be made by all the family members who will be living with and caring for the new addition. They are the ones who must decide if they have the time, money, commitment, and genuine desire to care for an animal. If so, it’s best to wait until the tinsel and lights are taken down—then adopt one from an animal shelter. A faithful friend is anxiously awaiting a loving, post-holiday-hustle home.
Thanks for reading,
Nick
Animal companionship can be wonderful—but impulsively acquired animals are often discarded when the novelty wears off. Our animal shelter always receives a sudden influx of abandoned cats, dogs, rabbits, and other animals, many of whom are former companions who were deserted or passed around before ending up in a shelter cage. And it's not only at Christmas - we see chicks and rabbits in HUGE numbers right after Easter.
Adopting a companion animal is an enormous responsibility and carries long-term obligations—as long as 10 to 20 years. New puppy parents must have loads of time and patience for exercise and housebreaking—all too often, dogs end up crated for hours on end or trapped at the end of a chain in a cold backyard. Kitten companions need daily play and grooming and are only being their curious, athletic selves when they claw furniture or climb Christmas trees. Caring for a companion animal requires cash to pay for food, toys, and veterinary care, including spaying or neutering. Animals, especially young ones, require vast amounts of time, patience, and money—all of which are scant during the holiday season. Ball State University psychologist Dan Lapsley agrees that the holidays are no time to bring home a new puppy or kitten who can too easily “be lost in all that hoopla.” Instead, give the animal lover on your gift list some other appropriate gift - one without a heartbeat.
Thinking of giving a kitten or puppy to a child on your list? Think again! Children have fleeting attention spans—their interest in walking the puppy and scooping cat’s, rabbit’s, or hamster's litter quickly wanes—meaning that those duties will soon be added to their already overworked parents’ “to-do” lists.
The decision to get a puppy or kitten should be made by all the family members who will be living with and caring for the new addition. They are the ones who must decide if they have the time, money, commitment, and genuine desire to care for an animal. If so, it’s best to wait until the tinsel and lights are taken down—then adopt one from an animal shelter. A faithful friend is anxiously awaiting a loving, post-holiday-hustle home.
Thanks for reading,
Nick
