If you are thinking of giving a puppy or kitten as a gift this holiday season there are a number of things you should consider. First and foremost is that it should not be a surprise to the recipient. Bringing a puppy into a household is a long term commitment (average 12-15 years). It is also a time commitment - training, daily walking, etc. and an expense.

The best time for a puppy or kitten to join a household is not during the holiday season when household routines are disrupted and guests are coming and going. A good way to do it is to give the recipient a gift card offering to pay the expense of adoption after the holidays and let the recipient choose the pet at the local shelters or on petfinder.com. Those of us in the animal welfare “business” would definitely recommend against buying a puppy at a pet store or on the Internet. Even buying a small animal like a gerbil, hamster, guinea pig, bird, etc. is a big decision that requires some research and the appropriate equipment.

It is really important to consider a good match for the person or family. This is where adoption counselors at shelters and rescue organizations will help. A visit to petfinder.com will show that there are plenty of purebred dogs up for adoption as well as wonderful mixed breeds.

Bringing home a puppy is like adding an infant to the household but without the diapers. Puppies cannot “hold it” until they are several months old so confinement in a puppy enclosure and a trip outside every two hours or so is part of puppy parenthood. Our Web site www.cayugaanimaladvocates.org has lots of further information on the “Considering a Puppy” page as do all the Web sites of the national animal organizations.

Cayuga Animal Advocates can also offer phone counseling at 651-0186.

Another consideration is the age of any children in the home. Constant supervision of child/puppy/kitten interaction is important so that neither the animal nor the child gets hurt. See our site also for the “Kids and Animals” page.

Holiday dangers to pets

Doors, gates and garages are opened and closed at a feverish rate during the holidays. The opportunity for your pet to get out and explore is one danger. After the Fourth of July, the winter holidays are the number one time of the year that pets are usually lost. Don't forget to walk them, let them out, feed them and change the litter box according to their regular daily routines.

Alcoholic beverages, candy, chocolate, turkey and fixings, pork, fish and chicken bones are a few things to be kept away from pets. Be careful when giving bones. They can splinter when chewed and eventually puncture the intestinal tract. Bones purchased in grocery and pet stores are usually OK. Another food related hazard is the plastic six-pack beverage holders. Kittens especially can become entangled in them. Remember to cut them up before putting into the garbage. This will also help the wildlife at the landfills, too.

Electric cords, tinsel, glass ornaments, candles, spray on-snow, ribbons, plastic or foil wrapping, etc. can be dangerous to your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords. Do not tie ribbons around pet's necks or limbs. Watch out for rubber bands too.

Help less fortunate animals

Charitable giving is on the minds of many at this time of year. There are pet owners in our area that are facing tough times in this economic climate. More pet owners are abandoning their animals or surrendering them to shelters. Traditional food pantries have seen a surge of requests for pet food. Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes, (a 501c3 charity), has donation boxes for pet food at Pet Depot, Tractor Supply, Tops, and P&C stores. Food that is collected is taken to the CCAP food bank on Clark Street or given out to individuals who call 651-0186. We urge anyone who knows of a hungry animal or one without shelter and adequate care to report it.

Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes. Contact her at judy@cayugaanimaladvocates.org