SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The holiday season is all about giving, but when it comes to welcoming a new pet into the family, Second Chance Animal Services is urging families to rethink the idea of gifting them as a surprise.
According to Second Chance, when a pet is given as a surprise gift, the odds are much greater that they will be returned to a shelter, which they say is emotionally hard for an animal since the owners won’t be coming back.
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Second Chance explains that you want to make sure that the person receiving the pet is not just excited, but ready to be a responsible pet owner. They recommend a more thoughtful, inclusive process instead, such as adopting together when the time is right.
“It’s a lifelong commitment,” said Second Chance’s Chief Development Officer, Lindsay Doray. “You need to know that the household and the members in it get an opportunity to do that together. It’s a lot more fun, and there’s a lot more excitement when you get to go, and you get to meet them, and you get to fall in love and find the right pet.”
Another option is giving items that celebrate the idea of a future pet. Second Chance says a cozy pet bed or bowls with a note that your family is ready to begin researching can be a thoughtful and exciting gift.
They also suggest giving children an informative book on pet care, which can help them learn what to expect.
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