Giving pets
as Christmas gifts may be barking up the wrong tree.
For thousands of puppies and kittens, this Christmas may
be their last!
Your City - Month Date - It may be an honored and even
adorable holiday tradition, but animal experts and
animal lovers alike all agree that puppies and kittens
should not make an ideal gift for the season.
Although giving a pet as a present is often portrayed in
movies, art, and literature as a thoughtful, even
romantic gesture, groups such as the Humane Society of
the United States and even many veterinarians point out
a variety of reasons why animals do not make good gifts.
Animal behaviorists point out that a crucial
socialization period for puppies and kittens often
happens between seven and twelve weeks of age. Fears and
avoidance behavior learned at this time can be difficult
to overcome. It is easy to see that the chaos of holiday
noise, seldom seen relatives, and even, irregular hours
for the family could potentially be a scary situation
for a new puppy recently removed from his familiar mom
and siblings.
Besides the effects on the pet, animal experts point out
that the Christmas season provides many other detriments
to giving a puppy or kitten as a gift. Limited hours by
many veterinarians, weather related concerns, and even
the short attention span of some children can all have a
negative effect on the pet and its relationship with the
family. Statistics quoted by humane groups show that a
large percentage of holiday pets will not live to see a
second Christmas.
Choosing to give a pet as a holiday gift is a tradition
that many animal groups would like to see disappear. To
learn more about how to provide a happy holiday season
for pet lovers as well as the pets, visit www.myvnn.com
to see a video. |
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