In recent years, people have been encouraged to adopt dogs or cats instead of buying them. All over the world, there are shelters with animals waiting to be welcomed into a permanent and loving home. Unfortunately, they are not all lucky.
According to data from the Affinity Foundation, only 13% of dogs in Spanish homes come from adoption and only 44% of rescued dogs are adopted, most are condemned to live their lives in shelters or be euthanized. The reality in other countries is similar, according to ASPCA data less than 20% of dogs in U.S. homes come from adoption, in Germany some 300,000 animals end up in shelters annually, and in Australia approximately 175,000 dogs and cats are euthanized each year.
It is very generous to give a home to animals in need, but it is not advisable to make this decision lightly, considering all the pets that are abandoned and returned. Going back to the shelter, or even ending up on the street, can be devastating for companion animals.
As Christmas is the perfect time for giving and receiving presents, many people are tempted to buy or adopt but not all gifts are appropriate or well accepted. Is it a good idea to bring a pet home at this time of year? Is adoption for everyone?
It is important to think about the conditions of the home and whether there is really a commitment to care for a living being that requires attention, keeping in mind that the biggest reasons for abandonment are loss of interest in the animal, financial problems, unexpected litters, and the animal’s behavior.
Although some experts advise against adopting an animal companion at Christmas, many protection centers prepare their residents for the dates because they cannot miss the opportunity to provide a warm home in times when people are more interested in enlarging their family.
The pandemic showed a different side. Many people went to the shelters during the isolation to for pets to keep them company at home, but when public spaces began to reopen and workers returned to the office, many of these dogs and cats were returned to the centers. Apparently, they were no longer considered necessary to improve mental health.
Fortunately, not all dogs and cats are returned and many people make a commitment to their pet, or even create a bond with the shelter that helped them. The outcome will not always be negative, a pet can be a great gift when there is foresight and a lifetime commitment, because the animal will require food, vet visits, training and other expenses that are necessary to care for the animal’s health.
According to the ASPCA, 86% of the animals adopted as gifts remain in their homes, so the figures are encouraging. Even so, it is important to increase that percentage by carefully evaluating the pros and cons, which will be different in each family.
To avoid giving away a pet that is not wanted, many animal welfare centers offer alternatives such as gift certificates, adoption commitment certificates, or sponsorship. This is more convenient for many who have not yet decided to take on the responsibility of caring for another living being.
Gift cards can also be used to avoid bringing home an animal that does not suit the personality of the entire family. A child or adult will be just as excited to receive a card that says they will have a pet. This way, they can go to the shelter and see which animal they create the best bond with to improve the chances that it won’t be returned.
Not all animals can easily adapt to a family’s routine or the space they have. If the right one is not found in a shelter, it is always possible to visit other places that rescue animals; the options vary with pets of different sizes, personalities and age, which make them more suitable for one home or another.
Christmas is a good time to incorporate a new member into the family, but it is important to be responsible with every decision. The holidays will help integrate the animal more quickly and make the adoption transition easier, because it allows the family to get to know the pet, train it, and divide up responsibilities.
When a pet is adopted for the right reasons, having considered all the options, a companion is guaranteed to brighten family life for many years to come. Animals are capable of giving unconditional love, which humans must be able to repay by caring for them properly.
Image credits: Madalyn Cox and The Lucky Neko