By Media General News Service

Considering a kitten or puppy as the perfect Christmas present? Some local experts encourage gift givers to think twice before purchasing that holiday pet.

Noting the importance of research and planning before putting an animal under the tree, Friends of the Animals - a Statesville-based non-profit animal welfare organization - says “great care and consideration should be given to the purchase or adoption of an animal.”

“I see so many animals that have been abandoned or neglected because the owner did not anticipate the amount of time and money that it takes to be a pet owner,” said David DeQuick, a Friends of the Animals board member and veterinarian at Lakewood Veterinary Hospital in Mooresville.

“It is a tragedy to see animals suffer because of a human’s poor planning and irresponsibility.”

Juli Reed, executive director of the Humane Society of Iredell County, agreed.

“It is ideal for the person receiving the pet to pick their own pet when the time feels right, get what they want, make sure they feel good about the adoption,” she said.

Whether it is because the excitement of the pet dissipates or the finances and time aren’t available to properly care for it, Reed said there is a “huge surge” of animals coming into shelters and animal control following the holidays.

“When we do see kittens and puppies given as presents, when the newness wears off, that’s when they end up homeless,” she added, noting the Humane Society, like most adoption agencies, will not adopt an animal to people seeking to give the pet as a gift.

Kate Kennedy Holliday, office manager for the Village Animal Hospital in Mooresville, said the cost of caring for a pet often isn’t considered when purchasing a $100 animal from the local pet store.

“They buy the puppy and don’t realize the inherent cost,” she said, noting than a reasonably priced pet could cost hundreds of dollars once the animal is spayed or neutered and receives its necessary shots.
Holliday said “unless it’s the case of a person who requested a specific pet,” buying an animal as a present is not recommended.

“I definitely agree it’s a bad idea to give for Christmas,” she said, adding that “surprising” someone with a pet does not ensure the recipient’s willingness and ability to adequately care for the animal.

Friends of the Animals suggests “creating an ‘IOU’ or gift certificate” for someone who would like a pet for the holidays, but might not be ready for the responsibility just yet. Then, at a later time, the animal can be welcomed into the family when the time, finances and research are all in line.

“A new puppy or kitten is warm and fuzzy and brings lots of excitement on Christmas morning,” notes the organization. “But that attraction often fades when the animal begins to grow and the need for attention and care turns out to be more than the gift giver or recipient expected.”

That’s why waiting until the perfect time, instead of attaining the perfect gift, is the best decision when considering a new pet, according to local experts.

“I think a lot of people just don’t understand the ramifications,” said Reed. “We would really like to be sure the recipient is indeed ready and prepared emotionally and financially so we don’t see more homeless animals than we already do.”