By Dr. Johnathan Pierce
HOLIDAY PETS
It’s the season for giving and we have a lot to celebrate. We’ve made it through Covid and have a renewed sense of normal. During this period, pet adoptions were at an all-time high. There were lines out of the doors of shelters, people were sleeping in shelter parking lots so they could be the first in line in order to adopt a pet, and for the first time in a while shelters were not overflowing. They were emptying. This activity has subsided and shelters are filling up again. Fosters and pet parents are needed at an increased level.
However, pets are not gifts and should not be treated as such. Whether adopting or purchasing a pet from a responsible breeder, neither should be thought of as a gift. There is always, no matter how much one knows a person, a question on whether the recipient is willing or ready to have a lifelong commitment to a pet.
Pets are not an object that you can leave in a room and forget about until you are ready to play with them.
They require constant love and attention, training, food, water, vaccinations, regular health checkups, care and medications when sick and the list goes on. Pets are an emotional commitment as well as a financial commitment.
Even if you are sure of the recipient’s commitment level and readiness to have a pet, there is a certain amount of responsibility of the person gifting the pet. Should something go awry then you share responsibility to correct the situation. This may include providing a home and taking responsibility for the pet or finding another responsible home to adopt the pet.
The bottom line is pets are not gifts. They are a commitment, responsibility, and decision that really should be left to oneself. Consider other gift options for your loved one’s current pets, making a donation to a shelter of your choice in their honor, or even giving the gift of pet insurance for a loved one’s pet to help ease the financial burden.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Island Life Animal Hospital
Dr. Danielle Gallo & Dr. Johnathan Pierce
5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107, St. Petersburg
727-289-3776
islandlifeanimalhospital.vet
