The holidays often inspire grand gestures, and few seem more heartfelt than giving a loved one a pet as a Christmas gift. However, animal advocates and pet owners warn that the holiday season may not be the ideal time to bring home a new furry friend.
“[Pets] are like babies — they need a lot of attention, and you have to put the time in, or you will regret that later,” said Mrs. Jones, a counselor at Wheeling Park High School.
Jones, who recently welcomed a new puppy into her family, described how the financial aspect of getting a new pet is a major factor to consider.
“It’s a lot of money. I mean, there’s grooming, puppy school, and then just when you’re traveling you have to be able to afford them,” Jones said.
According to Jones, puppy school is a “luxury” that not everyone can afford, “I mean puppy school’s a luxury, like, it’s expensive. I mean, it’s really expensive. But we need it.”
Jones further highlighted the logistical burdens of pet ownership.
“There are all these extra things going on during the holidays and people just aren’t thinking about their travel and things that they want to do.”
For Gianna Mills, a sophomore at Wheeling Park, bringing a new dog into the family was a way to heal after a loss.
“We got a dog because our old one died, and we got him to fill the void,” Mills said. “He’s so hyper compared to our other dog, and sometimes they get into tiffs.”
Mills highlights the importance of considering a pet’s breed, energy level, and compatibility with a household’s lifestyle before bringing one home during the busy holiday season.
“Getting a dog during the holidays can be good or bad depending on the breed and how much time you have to care for and train them, and how their energy level fits your lifestyle,” Mills said. “Do your research about where your dog is from!”
Mills also emphasized a strong dislike for people who see pets as temporary or impulsive gifts rather than long-term commitments.
“Some people think the puppy will stay little forever or that it’s just a couple of days of fun, but once you get the dog, it’s yours forever.”
Animal advocates also urge caution during the holiday season. According to the Animal Shelters Count website, many shelters receive an influx of pets after the holidays, “The holidays are a popular period for pet acquisition, so animal advocates encourage a shift away from buying from pet shops, breeders and online sellers, and toward adopting dogs and puppies from shelters and rescues who are desperate for adopters.”
Whether it is overpopulation from demand in home breeders, puppy mills, or shelters, leftover puppies are becoming a growing issue. The harmful practice of overbreeding and irresponsible pet ownership is devastating for all animals involved. Mills explained how one of her current dogs, Luca, had elderly owners who got him for their grandkids, got bored of him, and left him at the vet.
“It makes me so sad to hear stories of dogs getting rehomed because my other dog, Luca, had a similar story, and I don’t understand how one can do that,” Mills explained.
Instead of rushing into pet ownership during the holidays, remember to adopt thoughtfully and consider whether the long-term needs of an animal can be met.
For families eager to welcome a pet into their lives, waiting until after the holidays—or even until the summer months when schedules are more flexible—may lead to a happier outcome for everyone involved.
