Photo by Tc7 on Flickr
Pets as gifts. This used to be one of the big shelter and
rescue no-nos. Even the mere suspicion that someone was "shopping" for a gift
pet was enough to send a shamed would-be adopter back out the door. Some shelters used to go so far as to shut down adoption programs during the holidays. The rationale was that a pet not adequately prepared for was a pet unlikely to stay in the home fur-ever.
Now, as the animal welfare industry matures, more emphasis is given to studies and statistics -- and boy have we all been surprised. We've learned that in some cases, people may in fact keep pets they got as surprise gifts the longest.
It turns out that cats, especially, may benefit from less planning and fewer expectations. (There is much to be said about that another day.)
So "pets as gifts" has come into its own. As an exercise, I, lover of all animals, founder of Petfinder, the consummate pet advocate, close my eyes and imagine the quintessential holiday experience -- and what do I see? I see bright packages piled under a sparkling tree and overflowing stockings, and smell hot cocoa. But that isn't all. I'm surprised to find that my Technicolor Christmas includes gift pets. Not just any gift pets, but a fuzzy kitten and a Labrador (can substitute Golden) Retriever puppy.
Wait just a minute here! How did the purebred puppy and fuzzball kitten sneak into my perfect Christmas morning vision? What kind of a terrible animal welfar-ian am I? The red street dog -- the mutt of mutts -- tops my preferred pet list, and a PUPPY? Please! Everyone knows I have a thing for senior pets. Notwithstanding the comical Far Side-esque images that come to mind when I picture my animal-welfare-endorsed, decrepit red senior under the tree, I think if we take a serious second look at pets as gifts, we'll find some inspiring truths.
Photo by wakingmagenta on Flickr
For years, Petfinder has endorsed the concept of pets as
gifts. We do this primarily through our Pet Promise Certificate. The certificate that can be paired with pet supplies and toys and humanely wrapped in a box and placed under the tree. No need for breathing holes. The idea is that after the holidays, the family can go together to a shelter or rescue group and pick out a pet.
But if our image of the perfect gift is a fluffy puppy with a big red bow (as in my Christmas fantasy), then we'll get a reality check the day after Christmas when we arrive at our shelter to find that less than 10% of the pets there are babies. Adolescents and adults make up the majority of the pets needing a home for the holidays.
Can our emotional, advertising-influenced image of the perfect Christmas kitten reconcile with our intellectual need to adopt a rangy stray? I think it can. In fact, the transition from Technicolor Christmas fantasy to real-life new family member happens seamlessly thousands of times every year.
Most Pet Promise pets (and I credit this happy news to this awesome generation of super-conscientious kids) aren't fluffy purebred puppies and kittens. They are, instead, non-descript middle-agers who are average in every way until that special moment when a love-connection is made.
So if you're thinking of getting or giving pet as a holiday gift, I encourage and applaud you!
Kids: "Can I get a dog?" should be integrated right at the end (as punctuation) of all your child-to-parent interactions. Upon waking: "Morning, Honey. How did you sleep?" "Fine, Mom. Can I have a dog?"
Parents: This Christmas, THINK PET. And if you are really serious about the pet-under-the-tree thing, puppies and kittens should NOT be your focus. I strongly encourage you to consider one of our very special seniors -- who will be much easier to keep a bow on.
The technique would be easy: 1. Place new dog bed under tree. 2. Allow time for new old dog to amble over to bed and plop down. 3. Pile gifts around new old dog. 4. Turn up holiday music to mask snoring. 5. After the festivities, remember to wake dog. (I am inspired by my own oldster, Jim.)
Happy Holidays!
-- Betsy
PS: According to a paper published by the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy, which compiled the results of five research papers on why people give up their pets: "dogs received as gifts were much less likely to be relinquished to an animal shelter than those who were acquired directly from an animal shelter, a friend, a pet shop, or as a stray."
And in a recent survey of adoptable Petfinder pets nationwide, 99.9% said they would rather spend the holidays in a home than at the shelter :)
One of the first national voices advocating that shelters and rescue groups get off their high horses and start thinking of the holidays as a great time to (thoughtfully) market pet adoption was Mike Arms, a charismatic and thought-pushing character who now runs the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. In the old days, Petfinder partnered with HWAC and PETCO to celebrate his program, Home for the Holidays. This year, IAMS has brought the effort to national TV in an incredible ad campaign, and we're proud to power their online pet search.
A few years ago, our friends at BISSELL inspired us to create the Pet Promise Certificate. It has resulted in hundreds of success stories, with parents and kids joining together in a pledge to be responsible pet parents and a promise to pick out a pet as a gift.
PPS: Okay, I must confess -- I made up the part about the smell of hot cocoa wafting through the air on my perfect Christmas morning. In truth, it is some combination of bacon and coffee. But I'm a struggling vegan and I don't drink coffee, so I rationalized my fantasy to arrive at cocoa.
I received a pet for Christmas one year - a fancy goldfish. It was a terrible gift. The fish nearly died because my idiot boyfriend at the time left him in the bag all night before giving him to me on Christmas morning. Then, I studied up on gold fish and learned they shouldn't live in a little bowl without an air pump.
Anyway, I think pet certificates are a good idea. But pets as gifts, no.
cute lovely and friendly yorkie puppie ready for free adoption at Christmas . please if interested get back to us for more information details . thanks
From Blogger to Blogette,
I think this is a great idea. A family might also consider the gift of fostering a pet over the holidays, that way you can see how it goes! Greg Kincaid
Yes, gimme.
I think giving someone a pet certificate for the holidays is one of the best ideas Ive heard yet.That way the person recieving the pet can pick it out themself.They know what they want,dont want,& preferences.I like choosing my dog by its eyes,face,& it has to grab my heart when I look at it.Older dogs are wonderful,but with kids ,they might want to grow up w/their pet.I myself melt w/older dogs.I adopted an 8yr.old bassett & she recently passed last Aug.27th @18.Her companion passed 1mo.later @ 10(dogs do die of broken hearts)unknown reason for his death @ vets.Anyways,I adopted a beautiful little female cocker using petfinder/from G.A.R.D.and I am now in the process of trying to adopt a handsome little male(neutered)friend from Abandoned angels.I wish someone would give me a pet certificate for xmas,but I myself would want to pick him up a little early so he could be "Home for the Holidays" w/my little Amber & I. Happy Holidays!! Remember your pet is family too.