Local Expert: Think Twice On Pets As Gifts

While many holiday commercials depict a child watching a puppy or kitten walk in Christmas morning, a local animal expert said that might not be the best option.

Putnam County AARF’s Leisha Dennis said owning a pet represents both a significant commitment and responsibility. Dennis said many people underestimate the effort involved in fostering an animal.

“This is a 15-plus year commitment perhaps,” Dennis said. “What am I signing up this person up for. You know, if its a dog, are they gonna be able to take it outside for daily walks? Do they have a fenced in yard? if its a cat, can they get down on the ground and clean litterboxes?”

Dennis said there are other options if you are adamant on getting an animal. She said rather than gift your kid an animal they may not like, give the gift of funding the adoption instead. Dennis said most adoption centers and rescue shelters provide certificates or gift cards for future adoptions.

“Gifting animal supplies like if you’re going to adopt a dog, maybe pet food, leashes, all the supplies a pet would need,” Dennis said. “Then they (the kid) go and adopt the pet themselves.”

Dennis said most children in school may not fully grasp the concept of what having a pet entails. This, in turn, Dennis said could mean the responsibility of the pet falls mostly on the parents.

“It’s great to say ‘hey I’m gonna get you this cat for Christmas’ and that’s a lovely idea,” Dennis said. “But they have to understand they’re (the parents) really the ones that are going to be responsible for the pet.”