Giving Pets as Presents.... Is There A Catch? - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

It's that time of year again. At animal shelters all across the country, phones are ringing off the hook and couples are coming in to take a look at new puppies and kittens.

For many people, adopting a new kitten or puppy can be very rewarding. But what happens when you no longer have the finances, time and energy to keep it?

"Do you have time after Christmas to house train it. Do you have time to see that its taken care of. Because new puppies they like to chew and a lot of them aren't house trained. So there's a lot of different issues that you need to take into consideration before adopting that new puppy or new kitten," said Mercer County Animal Shelter Director Lisa Williams.

She explains specifically how Christmas time pets as gifts can seem be made with well intentions but not always the best case scenario.

<because a lot of people have that break at Christmas time where they will be home for a week or so. But after that its back to the regular schedule. That eight to five job or nine to six job and you have to think what will they be doing during the day when you're not there. You'll get home and your shoes will be chewed or your furniture.so there's a lot of different things that you have to take into consideration.>

One couple did take all the responsibility into consideration. By planning out finances in advance, they feel they are ready and prepared to take home a pet.

"Well we went to the pet store and looked at the price of the food and the litter and all that stuff. And we talked it over for about two months before we decided that now was a good time to get one," said Elizabeth Vestal.

Williams cautions parents that giving a child a new pet also means you're giving the responsibility of that pet to yourself, as well.

"Because if you give a five year old a pet they are going to be in school all day then they have to do homework then it will be dinner time then it will be bath time. So there will not be a lot of time for them to interact with the puppy. So keep in mind when you get the puppy for the child that you are actually getting the puppy for yourself."

She says that even though it might be a lot of work, they new addition should feel like part of your family.

"So its a lot of work and a lot of time and its a big commitment. because you want the animal that you adopt to be part of your family."