Pets aren't always great gifts

Along with the latest toys and gadgets, for some, a pet may be on the top of their Christmas wish list. However, purchasing a pet as a present can be a recipe for disaster leaving both the owner and the pet stressed.
According to Orange County Animal Shelter Director Beth Hamilton, people want to give puppies and kittens without realizing the care involved.
"We see a lot of pet surrenders a few months after Christmas," she said. "People [return pets to the shelter] after the cute little thing has gotten bigger."
Hamilton said the shelter has rules in place to prevent an adult from adopting a pet for another adult as a gift.
"The person living with the animal needs to fill out the application," Hamilton said. "This way we can make sure there are no restrictions [pertaining to pets] where the person lives, that the animal is the right match for the applicant, and that the applicant is not on a list indicating they have been charged with animal neglect or abuse."
According to Hamilton, the adoption application is a legally binding contract requiring the adopter to care for the pet. Also, by having the actual adopter complete the application, the shelter can ensure that the adopted animal and the adopter are comfortable with each other.
"This way, an outdoor dog isn't given to someone who wants an indoor dog or a large dog isn't given to someone who wants a small dog," she said.
However, the same rules don't apply to parents adopting pets for children that live with them.
"Parents have to realize that they will be responsible for the care of the pet once the glow wears off," Hamilton said. "Parents should encourage responsibility and have children [care for the pet]."
Hamilton also said the age of the child should be taken into consideration when adopting a pet.
"With older children, in the summer or fall when the kids go to college the pet gets left behind at home," she said. "We see a lot of parents bring the animal in to the shelter."
According to the Orange County Humane Society, before adopting a pet, one should consider if they can afford it, if they have the time and if they can commit to the ups and downs of pet ownership. The humane society also recommends researching all things pets before adopting, such as training and grooming needs and what type of pet will be the best fit for the family adopting.
According to Hamilton, traffic at the shelter has increased in the past few weeks but that doesn't necessarily mean more adoptions.
"People are feeling a little more community-oriented this time of year so we see more people coming in and looking at pets and we get a little more donations this time of year," she said.
According to Hamilton, there are other ways to give a pet-oriented gift without adopting a pet. She said someone can sponsor an adoption as a gift so the person who will be caring for the pet can come in and pick their pet out themselves. Also, she said a gift-giver can purchase items for a desired pet, sponsor a vet visit or give gift cards to a pet store in order to set the recipient up for their desired pet. Plus, someone can make a donation in a friend's name to the shelter's emergency donation fund which provides medical care to the shelter pets.
Hamilton also noted that while many people wait to adopt in the spring when kittens and puppies are readily available, the shelter has plenty of senior pets that would make nice companions.
"There are lots of cute senior pets that are in need of homes," she said. "These pets are often overlooked but many of them are already house-trained and would make great companions."
For more information on the shelter and adopting a pet or to make a donation, contact the Orange County Animal Shelter at 672-1124.