The Festive Fur-ball Factor: are You Really Ready to Adopt a Pet This Holiday Season?

By Marie Mead

The holidays are upon us once again. And as the festive lights, glowing menorahs, and savory aromas soothe our spirits and bring out our annual idealism, we find ourselves pondering one of the burning questions of the season: Should Santa bring Junior a shiny new bike…or that puppy he’s been asking for? Too many people use the holidays as an opportunity to impulse-adopt pets. And it’s rarely a good idea.

A new pet may seem like an exciting addition to holiday merrymaking. After all, during the season of giving, who wouldn’t want to share the love with a new kitten, puppy, or bunny? But what seems like a sweet idea on the surface is not always in the best interest of the animal. Pets aren’t toys, they shouldn’t be considered disposable, and frankly, they just aren’t for everyone. 

There are several critical facts many people tend to overlook in their eagerness to get that perfect Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa snapshot of the kids frolicking with their new furry friend:

• You can’t just take a pet back to the “return” counter because it doesn’t fit your family. Adopting a dog, a cat, or any other creature is (or should be) a lifelong commitment. Not only are our animal companions dependent on us to ensure their safety and wellbeing, they are also thinking and feeling beings with some basic emotional and mental needs similar to ours. It’s irresponsible—and let’s face it, cruel—to bring an animal home, play with it for a few days, and then abandon him or her to an animal shelter or (almost as bad) a lonely pen in the backyard. Yet people do this all the time!

Think carefully about whether you are really ready to provide a safe, secure, loving home for an animal. If you aren’t certain the answer is yes, hold off for a while. Consider what abandonment of an animal teaches children. Research the species and breed ahead of time to ensure a good family match.

• Cute as they may look together, kids and pets don’t always mix. Another drawback to the “kitten in the Christmas stocking” idea is that some kids just aren’t ready for pets. Younger children, especially those who’ve never been exposed to animals, are usually too rough and exuberant to care properly for a pet. Inadvertently hurting or scaring the new animal may result in bites or scratches. Add in the fact that kids tend to become overexcited, overactive, and overtired by holiday activities and you can see why it’s best to think twice.

Don’t get me wrong: Bringing the right pet into a home is a wonderful learning experience for children. It can teach responsibility and nurture compassion. But approach the decision with plenty of research and careful consideration. Make it clear that the animal is not a plaything. Instead, model behaviors that show that the animal is a valued member of the family, one to be treated with love and respect.

• The hectic nature of the holidays can be counterproductive to adjustment. Integrating a new pet into your household requires a certain amount of scheduling and a calm environment. The holidays tend to be a hectic time with highly disrupted routines. Animals brought into such situations can become stressed, sometimes even to the point of illness or aggression. They need relatively quiet and gentle surroundings in order to settle into an unfamiliar home and bond with new people.

If you can’t maintain a calm, predictable schedule, wait until after things settle down in the new year before you adopt a pet. Your family will have plenty of time to get to know the new animal and enjoy spending time with him or her. But if you do decide to adopt during the holidays, make sure to take safety precautions so that holiday decorations and lights are not chewed or ingested.

If and when you do bring home a new companion animal, provide lots of calm attention to help him feel relaxed, safe, and loved. Take time to observe the new family member, finding out what triggers fright or delight. As you take this quiet time, you may find yourself relaxing in his or her presence—animals know how to be, something most humans struggle to learn.

Remember that while your intentions are good, you have to think first about what is best for any animals you may potentially adopt. A pet during the holidays can be a wonderful and mutually beneficial gift for the whole family. Just be smart about it and make thoughtful preparations first. Or pick a calmer time of the year to bring a pet into your lives. Your new furry companion will thank you, and your family will find it more enjoyable as well!

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About the Authors:

MARIE MEAD’S love of animals and respect for nature have shaped her life, spurring her interest in ecology, animal ethics, and alternative healing. For more than twenty years, she has been involved in various capacities with animal rescue, advocacy, and education. Within the last decade, Marie has become an expert in hands-on care of rabbits and has shared this knowledge through consultations and writing. She provides both permanent and foster havens for abused and neglected companion animals, including rabbits, many of whom have special needs. Her property also offers safe passage and sanctuary for many wild creatures. Visit Marie at www.celebratingrabbits.com.

Collaborator NANCY LAROCHE has been involved with rabbit rescue since 1991. She is the founder and co-manager of the Colorado House Rabbit Society where she oversees the operation of a large shelter, provides training in rabbit care, and works with law enforcement on abuse cases. Her writings have appeared in Fur & Feather and Rabbits U.S.A. Nancy and her partner, Earl, share their home with rabbits, a cat, and two dogs. 

About the Book:

Rabbits: Gentle Hearts, Valiant Spirits—Inspirational Stories of Rescue, Triumph, and Joy (Nova Maris Press, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-9786226-0-2, $18.95) is available in bookstores nationwide, from all major online booksellers, or at www.celebratingrabbits.com.