The Prince William County Animal Shelter has dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals available for adoption every day and many will find new homes.
But Prince William County Animal Control officers say residents should think twice before giving a pet as a holiday gift.
??We generally don?t recommend it,? said Lt. Dawn Harman, who heads animal control.
She said the excitement of the holiday season might prompt families to get a pet without understanding what it takes to care for them.
?They are not prepared for the actual work that comes [after the holidays],? Harman said.
To ensure a holiday pet will be the perfect match for its new family, Harman suggests residents look at their lifestyle and to determine the best breed and type of pet for their families.
?Every breed is different,? Animal Control Sgt. Lorie Carter said.
Beyond adoption, other factors during the holiday season -- like house guests and extended, unusual vacations -- could be stressful for a new animal trying to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, she said.
Families looking for pets this Christmas might also find that popular breeds, and kittens and puppies, have already adopted out of the shelter.
Kittens, according to Harman, are ?hot tickets? and are scarce this time of year.
There were only a few in the shelter?s ?cat room? on Dec. 15.
But even with the excitement of having a new pet for the holidays, the experience doesn?t always turn out positive.
The shelter often sees a spike of adopted pets being returned to them in the second week of January, mainly due to residents who didn?t realize the responsibility involved with caring for the animal prior to adopting it, Harman said.
Other factors, including the pet not being a good fit for the family, often despite the adoptees? best intentions, could result in it being returned, officials said.
Harman believes that research done prior to the adoption could lessen the chance of this happening.
How to present a new pet to the gift recipient on Christmas morning is another hurdle that residents need to consider before adopting, officials said.
Parents can choose a pet on their own and surprise their child, or they can include their kids in the pet-selection process to ensure love at first sight.
Animal control officers say it's important that children are involved in the process.
?What your child may see and perceive, looking at a pet, may be totally different from what you are looking for,? Carter said.
Introducing the animal to its new family on Christmas morning should also be considered. Officials do not suggest putting the pet in a wrapped box or other container like a traditional gift.
Carter said pets should be held at a neighbor or friend?s house and brought over on Christmas morning.
Residents can also turn to decoration to make the first meeting memorable.
?Go out and buy a pretty collar and put a ribbon on it long enough to present it to the child,? Carter said.
She said residents should choose pets the whole family would, ideally, be comfortable with, based on research done prior to the adoption.
The pet should also be age-appropriate for the whole family.
?You don?t want to get a Rottweiler for a 5-year-old,? Harman said.
For more information, residents can call the shelter and hear a recorded message before 5 p.m. at 703-792-6465.
Staff writer David Pierce can be reached at 703-530-3905.
Source: http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2011/dec/20/4/think-twice-giving-gift-pets-ar-1549317/
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