Important Notes on Gift Giving
With the holiday season fast approaching, we would like to offer a few important tips for this joyous time. Please keep in mind that animals are never appropriate gifts. Sadly, many companion animals received as gifts are simply "discarded" to shelters after the holidays, when the novelty has worn off. If someone is planning to add a furry member to their family, a gift certificate for adoption from a local shelter is an excellent idea. If the adoption fee does not include spaying or neutering, it's imperative to include this with your gift. A spay/neuter certificate is also an excellent gift for someone with an unaltered companion animal.
Don't forget your furry friends this holiday season. Like people, companion animals can also enjoy holiday gifts. However, be sure to choose your companion animals' gifts carefully and avoid chocolate, which can be deadly to animals and also forego rawhide chews for dogs, which can cause choking or intestinal blockages.
And finally, remember the many homeless animals who are without caring families during the holidays (and all year). Most shelters welcome toys, blankets, and treats for the animals. Perhaps the best gift you could give these animals is your time. Spending time with cats and dogs in a shelter can bring some brief joy into the otherwise dismal lives of these unfortunate animals.