What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Have you ever adopted a pet during the holidays? Have you ever been gifted with one, or given one as a holiday gift? Would you like it if someone gave you a pet as a holiday gift?
I've noticed that many shelters seem to reduce the price of adoptions at this time, which surprises me, because it seems to lack foresight into the realities of many homes at this stressful time. In addition, there are so many more toxic items to watch out for like chocolate, tinsel, ornaments, ribbons and the water that the tree sits in.
Look what Germany is doing:
https://pictures-of-cats.org/germany...comment-842145
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Shandi, Thanks for bringing up this important subject. In addition to all the excitement and stress as well as potential for toxic items, this is not the best time in my opinion to introduce children to the responsibilities as well as the joys of pet ownership. Although my family never adopted a pet at the holidays, when I was 13 I received my first horse for Christmas (what can I say, I was one lucky kid.) Best of all, I did NOT receive her on Christmas. Instead I received a stuffed toy horse and a picture of her with her name, letting me know that while we would visit her the next day, she would not be coming home until after New Year's Day. Perhaps some similar routine could be used for shelters with dogs and cats, the fees paid and visits made but the pets left safely at the shelter or foster home until after the holidays? Or is my suggestion too "over the top"?
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Posted in reply to the post by Shandi:
Have you ever adopted a pet during the holidays? Have you ever been gifted with one, or given one as a holiday gift? Would you like it if someone gave you a pet as a holiday gift?
I've noticed that many shelters seem to reduce the price of adoptions at this time, which surprises me, because it seems to lack foresight into the realities of many homes at this stressful time. In addition, there are so many more toxic items to watch out for like chocolate, tinsel, ornaments, ribbons and the water that the tree sits in.
Look what Germany is doing:
https://pictures-of-cats.org/germany...comment-842145
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
I too appreciate Shandi for having brought this topic to my attention. I never gave or received a pet for Christmas as a child, and as an adult either would be out of the question. I think what Germany & Ireland are doing is really a favor to the animals. Many people have no business adopting a pet at all, let alone during the holidays and even the best of us have too much going on then to fully acknowledge the animal's needs.
Wow, Gypsey---you must have a great family. I like your ideas, too bad they're not enforceable. A moratorium at holiday time is a good idea but I'm tellin' you folks---not gonna happen. That is, unless the agencies voluntarily do it. I'm doubtful.
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Thank you for your response.
It seems that you came from a wise and thoughtful family.
I wish that the shelters would consider this issue more carefully, rather than being complicit in trying to get more pets into homes at Xmas, with reduced adoption rates. I wonder if it may have something to do with increasing their stats by the year's end? It seems that could be accomplished by your suggestion of having fees paid, but pets left at shelters/fosters til after New Year's Day.
Sometimes the animals are given to lonely seniors, as a surprise to replace the loss of their pet. This is a nice gesture, but even then, it's important to make sure that the senior is ready and capable of caring for another pet.
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
I think adoption is always a great idea. And as said above I also think that it's a nice opportunity to introduce kids to the responsibilities.
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Terrance, Do you think that adoptions at Xmas time is also a great idea?
I think most of the time, it's the parents who take the responsibility for the pets, mostly. Not like the old days.
My son recently bought a puppy, and said that his wife will probably be the responsible one, not the kids. That was disappointing, but I've seen it in every home I've worked in with pets and kids.
I'd love to hear from Wacco members who's children have responsibility for the pets. That would be heartening!
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Posted in reply to the post by Terrance:
I think adoption is always a great idea. And as said above I also think that it's a nice opportunity to introduce kids to the responsibilities.
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Children cannot be expected to suddenly take on responsibilities that are new to them. They need to be introduced in an age-appropriate way. Some wise parents start out by having their child help out at a local shelter walking or caring for the animals. Then, with parental guidance they might foster a pet as the next stage. Age-appropriate is an important concept so that the child's expectations and abilities are matched to the pet's needs and the parents' ability to guide and support. When I was young, we began having responsibility for feeding our pets at around age 7, but we often had to be reminded. I've been fortunate to see parents at our local dog park introducing their children to the joys and tasks involved with pet care and seeing these parents, I know their children are off to a great start as a responsible pet partner. But not all parents are up for the challenge or understand what is involved.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by Shandi:
Terrance, Do you think that adoptions at Xmas time is also a great idea?
I think most of the time, it's the parents who take the responsibility for the pets, mostly. Not like the old days.
My son recently bought a puppy, and said that his wife will probably be the responsible one, not the kids. That was disappointing, but I've seen it in every home I've worked in with pets and kids.
I'd love to hear from Wacco members who's children have responsibility for the pets. That would be heartening!
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Sadly, I have witnessed adults not taking care of their new pets. They think they know it all and then the pet dies or is abused. Sure wish pet owner candidates had to take a test before they can adopt a pet.
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Posted in reply to the post by gypsey:
Children cannot be expected to suddenly take on responsibilities that are new to them. ....
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Thank you for sharing this!
Re: What Do You Think About Pet Adoptions during the holidays?
Well said, Gypsey. Another thing that needs to be considered is that children develop other interests outside the home when they enter adolescence and pets no longer figure prominently in their lives. That is when an involved and committed adult must step in to care for the pet. Otherwise, the pet is likely to be ignored, neglected, or dumped. That's just a fact of life in my experience.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by gypsey:
Children cannot be expected to suddenly take on responsibilities that are new to them. They need to be introduced in an age-appropriate way. Some wise parents start out by having their child help out at a local shelter walking or caring for the animals. Then, with parental guidance they might foster a pet as the next stage. Age-appropriate is an important concept so that the child's expectations and abilities are matched to the pet's needs and the parents' ability to guide and support. When I was young, we began having responsibility for feeding our pets at around age 7, but we often had to be reminded. I've been fortunate to see parents at our local dog park introducing their children to the joys and tasks involved with pet care and seeing these parents, I know their children are off to a great start as a responsible pet partner. But not all parents are up for the challenge or understand what is involved.
