This Holiday Season more and more people are planning to stay close-to-home and focus their attention on their immediate family and nearby friends. And with more employers giving extra time off work at the end of the year, this may be just the right time for you to add the unwavering love of a furry friend to your family.

A good place to begin your search for a new furry addition is to bring the whole family to an adoption center like Pets In Need, contact local rescue groups and check with the publicly funded shelters. Every pet you adopt from one of these groups in the community means that you have made space for one more abandoned dog or cat to also get a new chance at life.

Carefully prepare your home for a new furry addition.

Animal-proof your home. Remember the holidays can be a dangerous time of year for any family pet. They can chew on decorations and extension cords, climb up a Christmas tree or pull off ornaments, knock over candles, eat wrapping paper or candy or do a dozen things you never would think they could. You need to know where your new family pet is and what it is doing every minute it is awake.

Train your children to handle animals gently. Show children how to hold and care for animals. New pets need a regular schedule, lots of attention, gentle play, exercise and lots of quiet time to sleep and adjust to their new surroundings. Everyone needs to remember that animals can be easily injured by large human feet and swinging doors.

Buy some starter pet supplies. You’ll need new bowls for food and water and a supply of quality pet food for the specific age of your new pet. Having their own bed, a collar, a leash for a dog and a litter box and scratching post for a cat, and a few safe pet toys will help your new member settle into your home. A crate for a dog and a quiet cozy room for a cat can create a safe harbor rest zone from too much activity.

Begin something grand. Agreeing to become a dog or cat owner, while it is a commitment for a decade or two, is one of the greatest experiences of loving faithfulness that anyone can have in a lifetime.

Plan for companionship. Being home for the holidays and spending time together as a family will get your new furry member off to a great start. Remember a big change will come after the holidays and everyone is back at work or school. An older dog or cat will need extra exercise and attention when you get home. For a kitten or puppy you may need a sitter to come to your house to feed or exercise them during the day. Day care services are available for pets as well.

This holiday season may be the perfect time to bring the best gifts of the season to your home – quality time together with the magic of the unconditional love of a new furry family member.

 
Founded in 1965, Pets In Need receives no federal, state or local government support.

Published in the San Mateo County Times, December 29, 2001