During the holidays we are vigilant about pets of all kinds going home for the wrong reasons. Don’t get me wrong, holiday adoptions are a wonderful thing. That is, when adoptions are done for the right reasons.
Our motto for so long has been “Gift Cards, Not Gift Pets.” This expression is important to understand for the animal’s sake. Whether it’s a dog or cat, hamster or snake, many animals go home for all the wrong reasons at the holidays. We won’t send an animal home unless we are comfortable that it has whatever it needs to thrive in its new home.
We also encourage that you let your child choose their companion rather than have it dropped upon them. While well meaning as a gift from an adult, a special bond is formed when a child chooses his or her new buddy. So, Grandma and Grandpa, get a cage and supplies and let your grandchild choose their own buddy. Make a day of it. They will remember this special time with you and their choice much more than opening a box with a hamster inside.
If mom wants a dog, she should help choose it. Don’t surprise anyone with a living being. It causes lots of issues and it’s not a great way to start the human- animal relationship.
We love helping people find the perfect pet. We feel it is our responsibility to look out for our animals and the people who want them. Every holiday we make a few people angry. As one customer told me many years ago after an angry customer was not allowed to purchase a hamster, “The hamster gods are smiling on you today.”
If parents think this is the right time to adopt, we will happily help them find the perfect fit for their family. Our goal always is to avoid returning animals in February and March. The better we get at living up to our motto, the less it happens.
Meanwhile, stop by to see all the cuddly pet toys we have for gifts for this wonderful season.
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and respect to whatever you believe from all of us at Dog Patch!
—Greg Gordon, Owner
