Tis the time of year when parents and grandparents think they should get their cute little children cute little pets. I'm here to tell you that this is an awful idea. I bring this up every year during the holidays. It's still a widespread problem so I will bring it up again...
Why you shouldn't buy puppies/kittens for children during the holidays:
Pets should never be an impulse purchase. There's more to an animal than his/her looks. What about breed and temperament. You also need to think about your own environment: Do you have the space? Time to properly take care of the animal? Give the attention and love s/he deserves? Time for providing playtime and exercise? Funds for ongoing costs: food, vet bills?
Pets are not merely play things. They are living beings with feelings, needs and emotions. If children are given pets as a gift they may view it in the same category as a doll or toy train with batteries. A pet does not run out of energy like a battery run toy nor does it enjoy being thrown around like a doll.
Unfortunately, this results in the excitement wearing off after the holidays have passed. The family is busy with other things and there's no time to care for or properly train the pet. This results in behavioral problems for the pet. The family thinks they have an unruly pet...newsflash: IT'S YOUR FAULT!
This results in the pet being taken to the local shelter. If the pet is lucky, s/he might find a loving family. Or, if the shelter is overflowing with animals and the shelter is not a no-kill shelter, the pet will be euthanized.
I realize that people who are in the "spirit of Christmas" and want to buy a pet as a gift won't be taking the time to research the subject and will not see this post. But, maybe some of you who are animal lovers and agree with what I'm saying will pass this along to others.
Here are some alternatives that will keep the children and pets happy:
- Get a Zuh Zuh pet! They are adorable and cuddly. They each have their own personality and vocabulary. The best thing of all is that when the child gets bored with it the pet won't care! Personally, I like Mr. Squiggles.
- If the child has a gaming system, get a game with animals: Animal Planet: Vet Life, SimAnimals, Farm Frenzy: Animal Country, Doctor Fizzwizzle's Animal Rescue...
- Buy dog and cat treats, take your child to the local animal shelter and have the child donate the treats. This illustrates the true meaning of the holidays and benefits both the child and the animals. This might start a conversation on the importance of responsibility in having a pet in the family.
Remember-if you do decide to add a pet to your family:
- Don't do it during the holidays!
- Do your research
- Make sure every family member takes part in the process and cares for the pet after s/he is part of the family
- Don't buy a pet from a store. Pets from stores usually come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are evil!
- Check out your local animal shelter. If the shelter doesn't have a dog/cat that matches your needs/the pets needs don't adopt at that time. Be patient. Make trips to the shelter on a regular basis to meet new animals until you find the right match for your family.
