An animal for Christmas? Don’t do it!

An animal for Christmas? Don’t do it!
2012.11.30.

As Xmas is getting closer a lot of people think that they should give a dog, cat or other pet as a present. NOAH’s Animal Shelter wants to ask every adopter to think it twice because adopting a pet is not for a few weeks but for 15-20 years.
It often happens that joy turns into wormwood because a not expected ’present’ causes a lot of trouble. Having a new pet brings lots of joy but also huge responsibility and costs a lot of money and it’s not sure that the person who gets a dog, cat or other pet is ready for this commitment.

Particularly in case of young pets. Not just because they need further vaccinations and the new owner has to pay for spaying and other charges but as these animals are young they cause a lot of damage. There will be chewed slippers and cables, broken Christmas trees, torn curtains and of course it’s not sure that the pet is house broken. These things can cause annoyance.

Budapest’s biggest Animal Shelter wants to ask those who are thinking of giving a pet as an animal should talk to the future owner before gifting. Of course it means there won’t be surprise but a decision like this is for years so we shouldn’t give such responsibility and financial burden without their knowledge.

NOAH’s Animal Shelter suggests that if we really want to surprise someone we should give a simbolic stuffed animal or a home made ’pet voucher’ then choose the real pet together after Christmas. It would be very important for the new owner to choose a likeable pet whom with he or she can spend the next ten or more years.

someone can’t resist the temptetion and give an animal for Xmas please consider the followings: will the owner be able to afford the vaccinations, surgeries, feeding, treatments and equipments?
If the pet is kept in the garden: will the owner be able to proect it from cold and hot weather? (Don’t forget that a dog house costs a lot of money too!) Will it be a problem if the dog digs up the garden, gnaws the flowers and trample the plants down. Will the owner be able to make sure that the pet doesn’t run away? What will happen on New Years Eve when petards will be noisy and every animal is horrified?
If the pet is kept in a flat: will it be siutable for a pet? Isn’t there expensive furniture or other valuables in which the pet could cause damage? What will happen to the indoor plants that are often toxic for animals? What if it turns out that someone is allergic to the cat or dog hair? Will the owner’s lifestyle be suitable for keeping a pet? Doesn’t he/she travel a lot? If yes, can he/she take it with him/her or can someone stay with the pet? A lot of people visit their relatives right after Christmas – who will look after the animal?
Be prepared that animal shelters and animal boards are closed during Xmas so you should have a back up plan where the pet can be placed if the new owner doesn’t want it. You can’t leave it on the street because it’s a crime that will be punished.

If we have all the answers and we are prepared for every possible scenario, pay attention to something: shops are closed during Christmas so the owner won’t be able to buy food, leash, equipment, medication and the first medical visit might be problematic too. So we have to take care of the pet’s basic needs,essential supplies (for exampe parasitic discharge) and take the dog to the vet

We want to avoid recless gifting that comes from sudden excitement so we are going to be even more prudent than usual. If you still want to give a pet as a gift, come with the future owner where he/she can choose the animal. It’s true that the pet won’t be a surprise under the tree but this is the only way how a responsible decision can be made and unpleasent surprises can be avoided.
Peaceful, happy and responsible Christmas to everyone!