The Gift of a New Pet

Here's a good reminder from Becky (one of my subscribers). Hopefully, you'll read this before any mistake is made…

I'm writing you today because I know you love your dogs as much as I love my guinea pigs and hoping you could help pass on something that too many people forget.
With Christmas comes giving things that give joy, usually they are new. But in the animal kingdom, new has not been sitting in a cage or foster homes. Many have been there for a while, but when a parent or loved one decides the gift of friendship, that is new no matter how old you or a new friend is.
I urge people to avoid the “puppy mills” and stores to buy a pet, they are big contributors to so many animals in need. Visit your local humane society, shelters and/or rescues. Petfinder.com is a great place to start. And those cute little animals that spend a lifetime in a cage (guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, etc.), PLEASE research about these pets (guinealynx.com is a invaluable site). A loved pet will always have a Vetenarian competent of the pet you choose, a special Exotics DMV or not. Just because they live in a cage does not mean they will be cheaper, to the contrary they are more expensive in providing proper cage and daily cleaning.
Parents need to remember when getting a pet for their children, if the parent does not wish to take full responsibility for daily care, food, and cleaning, then the children when novelty is lost, the animals end dying from neglect or end up in shelters. To many are put to sleep. Parents also need to remember when getting any animal, that neutering/spaying is a good way to stop the cycle of unexpected furry friends. Small caged animals often hard to tell which sex they are, find someone who can help before bringing the animals home, possibly even pregnant. If a home simply can not allow a child to have a pet, consider letting them help a shelter or foster home with cleaning and walking and cuddle times. They need all the help they can get, and your child will get a gift of love and knowledge in return.
It takes everyone to help the process, and 35 dollars to a shelter for a dog with a great personality and house broken but yet a mutt, is better the 600 dollars to a breeder for a puppy I have to train with a personality yet to be true.

I'd advise against giving the gift of a pet altogether! You need to choose wisely when it comes to matters of the heart. Just because your kid saw a certain kind of dog in a show or movie, doesn't necessarily mean that the breed was cut out for family life. Do your research before making any kind of decision, large or small - but I'd honestly wait to get a new pet until after the holidays has passed.