TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Even though cat or dog kisses sound like a good idea to make someone’s Christmas even more special, animal shelters in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan went on the record recently to say that the holidays may not be the best time to bring a pet home.
Alger County Animal Shelter and Delta County Animal Shelter told TV6 in Negaunee that donating to an animal shelter in honor of a friend or family is a better way to give a pet-related gift. Alexis Downing, Alger County Animal Shelter Caregiver says, “When someone is not prepared for an animal, it can be more of a burden than a gift. You must consider the financial aspect of it. If someone isn’t expecting a puppy and a puppy shows up at their house, there are things like medical bills and do they have the time, energy and means to take care of the animal.”
Delta County Animal Shelter Adoption Specialist Vonnie Bruce says they see a lot of the holiday pets returned in early spring and many other shelters do as well. Adopting a pet is definitely a decision to be made by everyone who will be involved in the care of the animal and it should be planned for.
Patti Goudey, co-founder of Northern Lower Michigan’s Handds to the Rescue organization, also agrees that giving a pet for Christmas is not a good idea because the excitement of the holidays is too stressful for a new pet. She said, “New pets are under enough stress being moved from one home to another. It is important for them to feel safe and secure. The holidays have too much commotion and most people do a lot of decorating for the holidays which new pets don’t understand. A new pet needs to have time to decompress, get to know new people and a new environment, not to mention a pet should be a family decision and everyone should be in agreement about getting one.”
She goes on to say, “If a decision is made to give a pet for a gift the better decision is to purchase things needed for the pet, bowls, collar, toys and make a fun coupon stating that when the holidays are over they get to go pick out pet together.”
Michigan Humane Society’s website says, “Surprising a family member or loved one with the gift of a companion animal during the holidays often seems like a great idea. Yet, many people don’t realize that pet ownership is a lifetime commitment that includes medical care, food and training and a big investment of time and love. So it’s imperative for the primary caregiver of the animal to be involved in the decision and not be surprised with a new four-legged friend.”
With the holiday season coming up at the same time that animal shelters in Michigan, and all over the country, are experiencing over capacity issues due to economic problems, restraint is needed when thinking about giving pets as gifts. Animal shelters don’t want the holiday season to make things even worse than they already are with pets being returned because of financial issues or other reasons.
West Michigan animal shelters are currently over capacity and have seen an increase in animals relinquished to the shelters and less animals being adopted out. Danika Langstaat, a dog trainer and behavior specialist at the Allegan County Animal Shelter, told WZZM TV13 that the shelter has been running over capacity for the last six months.
The shelter currently has 46 dogs and 70 cats that need homes. Harbor Humane Society, Kent County Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of West Michigan all have seen a 10% increase in animals taken into their shelters.
And like other businesses and organizations, the costs at animal shelters have gone up – electricity, staffing, food, veterinarian care and everything else. Greg Dziewit, Executive Director of Allegan County Animal Shelter says their food purchases have gone up 30% and vet medicine have gone up 20%.
Across the country, the bad and worsening economy is leading to pets being abandoned and surrendered to animal shelters. Inflation is hitting pet owners hard. The ASPCA says it costs $1,391 annually to own a dog and $1,149 to own a cat and pet care gets more and more expensive every day.
Some shelters are being creative trying to help people keep their pets in their homes including pet food pantries. Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society told Business Insider, “The pandemic kickstarted a wave of these donation-based pantries, finding a silver lining in an otherwise tumultuous time. Sometimes a bag of pet food makes all the difference between keeping a dog or cat in its home, or someone having to make the agonizing decision to surrender their pet to a shelter.”
