Unwanted pets are filling shelters, but advocates caution about adopting them as holiday gifts
It’s a thing that holiday movies are made of. The family comes down Christmas morning to find a snuggly little puppy or kitten under the tree, wearing a big red bow. Christmas, made!
But those who run animal shelters and rescues say that while the idea of a new pet for Christmas may be appealing, the actuality of it is not something that should be taken lightly.
Many shelters across the country are at capacity. According to a national database run by shelteranimalscount.org, the current trend shows dog adoptions down 1.2% from 2022 numbers. Meanwhile, the months from January to September 2023 saw a 2.5% increase in dog intake. For cats, the number entering animal welfare organizations as strays increased by 9% compared to 2021.
Isabelle “Lee” Linklater, executive director of Assisi Animal Foundation just outside Crystal Lake, said she sees two things happening.
For one, there are “so many unwanted animals.” At the same time, there is the typical holiday influx of families who want to adopt pets as gifts to their children. That might seem like a problem with a solution, but Linklater said her shelter is “careful about where (their animals) go.”
“Every holiday is like this,” Linklater said. “Many people think of it as a box of Fannie Mae, but it’s a lifetime responsibility.”
While it might lack the drama of a Christmas morning puppy surprise, Linklater said many families she’s interacted with have smartly decided to wait until after the holidays to bring a new pet into the household.
She pointed out that the holidays can often be hectic enough as it is – with guests coming in and out, a lot of food within reach, hot oven doors opening and closing, Christmas trees and presents that could be damaged. Adding a new pet to the mix can just be too much.
On the other side of the equation are the many well-intentioned people who can no longer keep their pets. Linklater said that inflation has been a problem for many pet owners.
“The fact of the matter is inflation has driven up the cost of pet ownership,” Linklater said. “The price of veterinary care has skyrocketed. People just can’t afford it.”
It’s important to understand that while adopters are in high demand, the best possible outcome is for the animal to enter a home prepared for such a commitment so the adoption does not result in owner relinquishment.
“A lot of it comes down to how well a rescue places an animal in an adopter’s home,” said Donna Matejka, president and CEO of Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock.
Echoing Linklater’s reminder that a pet is a long-term commitment, Matejka offered a compromise in place of the live reveal on Christmas morning to give a family the appropriate planning time.
“You can always put a stuffed animal in a box that represents the gift, to have time to shop for the best fit as a unit,” Matejka said. “Consider the following: Do we have the time to take care of this pet? Do we have time to take them for walks if it’s a dog? Do we have a sizable backyard, preferably with a fence? What is the best time of year? It’s important to talk and plan as a family. Don’t do it just because it’s Christmas.”
Matejka said a strong support system – people who can let the dog out and walk them if you’re going to be gone for an extended period – is also ideal.
“If you’re someone who isn’t home as much, maybe a cat is a better choice since they don’t have to be let out as much,” Matejka said.
Matejka said volunteering or fostering is a great way to get first-hand experience with various breeds and ages to determine what might be a good fit for you and your family if you’re considering adding a new pet. She also recommends that if you feel your family is more of a one-cat or one-dog household, make plans for the animal’s socialization with other animals, not just people.
If you’re not prepared for a new pet, volunteering, fostering and donating are all avenues to assist the animals in your community that are without homes.