Some say that getting a pet for the holidays is a bad idea. But a lot depends on who is getting it. And when.
Getting a pet to give as a gift is a bad idea, especially if the pet is a surprise. That’s one thing animal experts agree on. Pets are living, feeling, intelligent creatures that are meant to be lifelong companions. They’re not toys that one outgrows or tires of and tosses aside, although they often are treated that way.
They also are not cheap, even if they’re acquired through “free to a good home” ads (which, to digress for a moment, are a dangerous way for people who care about the fate of their animals to unload unwanted pets; such giveaways can end up in research facilities, puppy mills or dog-fight training pits).
There is no such thing as a free pet. In its first year, a small dog will cost its owner $810 in care and feeding, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A medium dog will drain $1,190 from the budget, and a large dog will eat up $1,580 in expenses.
Here are a few other first-year costs of common pets to consider, again, courtesy of the ASPCA:
— Small bird: $195
— Fish: $235
— Guinea pig: $645
— Cat: $715
— Rabbit: $911
Cheap to give? Perhaps. Not necessarily cheap to keep.
Even if the recipient can afford a gift that keeps on costing, a gift pet still is like a bad mail-order mate. Not only may it not be a good match, it may not have been wanted in the first place.
Even those who are hoping for pets as presents should not be given a terrier in a carrier to open on Christmas morning. It’s better to opt for a gift certificate or homemade coupon promising to cover the cost of the animal companion of their choice — not your choice — from a shelter, rescue group or breeder. Combine the gift certificate with a plush pet or with pet bowls and toys so there is something to unwrap. But save unwrapping a real pet until after the holiday.
Introducing a new animal amid the noise and commotion of Christmas Day puts too much stress on a pet that is already stressed by the change in environment. And as other treats and surprises vie for attention, even cute, cuddly kittens and puppies can be forgotten.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s can be a good time to welcome a new animal companion into the home, especially if family members are off from work or school and can give the pet the attention it needs.
Now can be a good time, too. There is always a plentiful selection of pets at area shelters, and some come with special price tags this time of year to increase their chances of finding a home for the holidays. If you check out this week’s Pet Calendar, you’ll notice several special pet adoption events this weekend.
Some words of caution, though: Now is not a good time to get a puppy or a kitten unless you are fully aware of what you’re getting into and are willing to take on the responsibility that comes with such a choice.
Animal babies, like human babies, need a lot of extra attention and care. They especially need attention when they’re adjusting to a new home. Curious kittens can get into trouble even without the hazards of holiday decorations. And shoe-chewing puppies that need to be house-trained require more patience than many holiday-haggard homeowners have to spare.
Also, beware of pet stores, which cater to impulse shoppers and people who want quick, easy transactions. The Humane Society of the United States cautions that many are staffed by employees who have limited knowledge about pets and pet care and who “will tell you what you want to hear” in order to move their inventory.
Kelly Iams, vice president of the Gateway American Pit Bull Terrier Club here, urges people “to avoid pet stores that sell puppy-mill dogs. Most puppy mill dogs are horribly inbred and come with a ton of health issues,” she says.
“Adopting from shelters and rescue groups saves live,” Iams says.
According to the HSUS, puppy mills “often hide behind the ‘legitimacy’ of a neighborhood pet store.” The organization also cautions that most dogs sold on the Internet come from puppy mills.
Remember that one out of four shelter dogs is a purebred. The percentage would be higher if the designer dogs, which are so popular now, were purebreds. But they aren’t. At best, they’re hybrids. At worst, they’re mixes with high price tags.
Iams says: “People in the market for a purebred dog really need to research what kind of breed they want before they buy.” Too many people get the wrong kind of dog because they didn’t do their homework first.
Iams worked at an animal shelter in the metro area for three years. She says that “within three weeks of the holidays, pets that are given as gifts start showing up at local humane societies. Shelters get more purebred dogs after Christmas than at any other time.”
That sounds like a good reason to put off getting a new animal companion until after the holidays, especially if you want a purebred pet at a bargain price. Shelter dogs come with a clean bill of health, they’re spayed or neutered, up to date on their shots, and even microchipped, Iams says.
Instead of giving or getting a pet for the holidays, perhaps it would be better to give or get a book on how to choose a pet.
Source: STLtoday.com
