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Pets as Presents
Planning Makes All the Difference By Lyn Mettler
You've seen it in the movies – sweet little Suzy toddles down on Christmas morning to find her new puppy sitting patiently under the tree with a big red bow around his neck. Suzy squeals, runs to hug the puppy, who gives her a big lick on the cheek, and the two live happily ever after.
While it would be great if such holiday surprises always worked out so well, that's often not the case. More frequently, 3-year-old Suzy, who is too young to know what caring for a pet really means, cries the first time Puppy bites her on the hand while the two are playing. Mom and Dad then pile him up in the car and drop him off at the local animal shelter along with the three to five million other dogs and cats returned to shelters each year.
But according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Senior Vice President Stephen Zawistowski, it doesn't have to go this way. With some forethought and a sincere commitment, pets can be a wonderful gift to give your family.
- How old are your kids? Different pets are appropriate for different ages. For example, your 4-year-old who is pleading for a cat is not capable of taking on the responsibility. "Just because a child begs for a cat or kitten does not mean that they are ready to have one," says Barb Wills, who operates Cats Haven, a no-kill shelter for cats in Indianapolis, Ind. Instead, says Zawistowski, you might consider a guinea pig, which is easy to care for, likes to be held and rarely bites.
- Do your kids really want a pet? "Children like animals, but not all children really want to have them around the house," says Zawistowski. Contrary to popular belief, every little boy does not want or need a dog. Just because your little one enjoys playing with Grandma's poodle does not mean he's ready or even wants to take on full-time care of a poodle himself.
- Have you thought about the cost?
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