Foster care of pets a great alternative to gifting them

For some reason, pet lovers seem to agree that bunnies should not be given as gifts at Easter, but the idea of giving a pet for Christmas still seems acceptable to most people. In reality, there's no difference between the two. An animal given as a surprise gift is more often than not a bad idea. If you believe a new pet is the perfect gift for someone you love this holiday season, here are some things to remember about owning a pet and some alternative ideas to consider.

All Animals Grow Up

When I think of someone giving a pet as a gift, I imagine a little kid receiving a puppy wearing a big red bow. Remember, though, that puppies and kittens grow up and, for young kids, the novelty of having an animal wears off quite quickly when it gets older. What will happen to that dog or cat in a few months when it's no longer a small, cute baby? If a young pet is given as a gift to an adult, remember that, as it gets older and larger, the gift recipient may no longer be able to care for that pet.

Who Is Going to Be Responsible?

Animals need food, medical care, exercise, and attention. When giving a pet as a present, it's hard to know for sure that your intended recipient is able to provide all these things. In many cases, animals require training, as well. Puppies need potty training and almost every dog, regardless of age, can benefit from learning their basic manners and leash training. For a lot of people, it's hard to find the time to train a pet. When children are involved, it's important to have a firm plan for who is responsible for caring for the new pet. I've heard many children at the shelter bargaining with their parents for a pet: "I promise I'll feed and walk him every day!" What are the consequences, though, if those children don't follow through on their promises? Do the animals end up at the shelter looking for a new home? Before giving a pet as a gift to a friend or family member, remember that pets are living, breathing animals that have a lot of needs.

How Much Does a Free Animal Really Cost?

There's no such thing as a free pet. In fact, the cost to adopt an animal is likely to be the least expensive thing you will pay for in an animal's lifetime. From food to litter to vet care, pets cost a lot of money. While it's great to want a friend or family member to experience the companionship of animal, it's impossible to decide on some else's behalf if they are financially able to care for a new pet. In fact, one of the most common reasons animals end up at the shelter is because their families could no longer afford to care for them.

Try This Instead of a Christmas Present Pet!

Volunteer at a local shelter - If you're thinking of surprising your own family with a new pet, trying volunteering at a local shelter first. Volunteering is a great way for parents and children alike to learn firsthand what is involved in caring for an animal without the commitment of having a pet. It's also a great way to find out what type of pet will fit in best with your family.

Foster an animal - Foster care is another great way to learn how to care for a pet, especially if you have children that are too young to volunteer at the shelter. With foster care, you care for the shelter pets in your own home until they are ready for adoption. The shelter provides you with food, supplies, and medical care while you provide the love. Foster care is an especially great option for families who are looking to teach their children how to be responsible. Don't adopt an animal for your child and hope for the best - start with foster pets!

Sponsor - Rather than surprise someone with a new pet, consider sponsoring a shelter animal in their name, instead. Many shelters offer some sort of sponsorship program where your donation helps provide food, toys, and medical care for a specific animal in need of a new home.

Give the gift of an adoption fee - If you believe a new pet is the right gift for someone, consider gifting them the animal's adoption fee instead of the animal itself. Bring your friend or family member to the shelter, let them find the best match for their lifestyle, and then cover the adoption fee for them. Not only will the recipient be able to find the perfect pet on their own, they'll also be able to decide when the time is right for them to add an animal to their home instead of being surprised with new pet.

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, two cats, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.