Carrie and Grant Johnson purchase a Giving Tree Ornament at Hinsdale Humane Society. (Photo submitted by the Hinsdale Humane Society)
While the Hinsdale Humane Society is looking for many things to help the shelter during the holiday season, adopting a pet as a Christmas present isn?t one of them.
?We strongly discourage adopting pets for someone else as a gift,? said Jennifer Vlazny, operations manager for the shelter. ?The person who will be living with and taking care of the animal should pick it out. Buying an animal is like buying a house ? people have different tastes.?
The holiday season is also a very hectic time of year, which can be traumatic and stressful for a new dog or cat, Vlazny said. Instead, she suggests giving a promise certificate or something to represent the gift will cover all costs with the adoption of an animal.
?While it?s cute to put a big bow on an animal and place it under the tree, it?s important to make sure the pet is a good match,? said Pam Salomone, events director for the shelter. ?Our focus is making sure the right pet ends up with the right person. The animals are less likely to come back to us that way.?
While the shelter always encourages adoption, Salomone said it?s important to make sure it?s the right time for the receiving party to take on an animal.
Vlazny said the humane society?s adoptions are up 20 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, but there are still unfulfilled needs and day-to-day operation costs that the shelter needs help with this holiday season.
Salomone said those looking to help the shelter during the holiday season can pick an ornament off the giving tree, sponsor an animal for the season or purchase holiday cards made by the shelter. The giving tree lets the person interested in helping choose an ornament with a specific item listed, ranging from $12 to $200.
?We?ve got everything from paper towels to cat chow to medicine on the ornaments,? Salomone said. ?These kinds of items help us tremendously ? they help us get through the year.?
For more information on holiday giving ideas through the Hinsdale Humane Society, click here.
bdoyle@tribune.com
Source: http://triblocal.com/hinsdale/2011/12/02/humane-society-pets-arent-good-gifts/
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