Surprise ?gift pets? are not recommended | Nooga.com

Published Saturday, December 24, 2011 3:12 am EST

Animal care experts say giving the gift of a pet this holiday season should not be done without serious consideration beforehand.

"Whether it is something as small as a mouse or as big as a dog, you are essentially giving a responsibility to someone ... it is important to make sure you really know a person," Adam Goldfarb, director of pet care issues for the U.S. Humane Society, said. "I would not recommend giving pets as gifts in general."

Any potential pet owners must consider time, training, patience, safety and cost before deciding to take on the responsibility of an animal, Karen Walsh, executive director of the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center, said.

"Pets require you to get up and walk them, feed them, provide them with love and attention," Walsh said. "If you can not provide them with all of the requirements of a good pet owner then please do not get one ... In order to socialize your pet they have to have time with you as a member of the family."

Pets can make a good gift but only if the recipient is willing and able to accept the animal, she said. Rather than giving a pet as a present, a photo of an animal or a certificate to adopt an animal is a better alternative.

Lost pets Currently, the return to owner rate for lost pets in Chattanooga is about 2 percent, Walsh said. That number is an improved number after 165 more dogs returned to their owners this year than in 2009. Microchipping, which is available at almost every vets office, is a simple and inexpensive way to make sure if your pet is found then it will be returned to you.

"Most people also want to bond with their own animal," she said. "We recommend a gift certificate for the adoption so the recipient can choose their own pet. Many elderly people get blindsided by the gift of a puppy or kitten when well-meaning adult children decide to get mom or dad a companion. Surprise pets are usually not a good idea."

Because of McKamey's adoption counselors, the shelter does not have problems with animal returns after the holidays, Walsh said.

"Our adoption counselors have extensive conversations with potential adopters so they realize that this is a lifelong commitment, not a holiday treat," she said. "We may bring them home for the holidays but we love them for life."

Although McKamey doesn't see an increase in returned animals after the holidays, Walsh said there is an increase in animals who were "gift pets" who are later surrendered to the shelter.

"There is an issue with expectations," Goldfarb said. "It is easy to picture the puppy under the tree with the wrapping paper and it's super cute, but you have to think beyond that."

So far this year, Walsh said, 2,174 pets have been adopted from McKamey. She said she expects the numbers to increase as the year ends, because more people will have vacation time available and can choose to adopt a pet themselves when they have time to enjoy it.

Source: http://www.nooga.com/27062_surprise-gift-pets-are-not-recommended/

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