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Pets Are for Life, Not Just for the Holidays
BY MADISON VOORHIES
As the holiday season approaches, many families consider adding a furry friend to their homes. While surprising your children with a puppy or kitten can be delightful, it’s vital to remember that pets are lifelong commitments, not just gifts. Adopting a pet brings joy, but it also comes with responsibilities that last well beyond the holiday season. Instead of purchasing pets from breeders or pet stores, consider adopting from a shelter. Shelters are filled with animals seeking loving homes, and adoption not only saves lives but according to Family Friends Veterinary Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, it also reduces the demand for puppy mills and unethical breeding practices. Before deciding to adopt, think carefully about the long-term responsibilities involved in pet ownership.
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Additionally, adopting helps combat unethical breeding practices, such as those in puppy mills, where animals are often bred under inhumane conditions for profit. Adopting from shelters supports a humane approach to pet ownership while making a positive impact on the lives of animals. Teaching Responsibility Adopting a pet offers a great opportunity to teach children about responsibility and empathy. Pets require daily attention, including feeding, grooming, exercise, and playtime. Involving children in these tasks helps them understand the commitment needed for pet care. Establishing a routine where kids assist with feeding or walking can deepen their connection to the pet and instill valuable lessons about caring for another living being. However, while children can help, the primary responsibility for the pet’s well- being rests with the adults in the household. If you’re not ready for a lifelong commitment, fostering is another wonderful way to make a difference during the holidays. Whether you adopt or foster, you will provide an animal with the gift of love and security—a gift that lasts long after the holiday season ends.
8 COLORADO PARENT NOVEMBER 2024 Adopt, Don’t Shop Adopting from a shelter is an ethical choice that provides animals with a second chance. Many shelter pets have been abandoned or surrendered and are waiting for a loving home. By adopting, you help reduce overcrowding in shelters and give these animals the care they deserve. Lifelong Pals The holidays may seem like a magical time to welcome a pet, but adopting is a decision that impacts your family for years to come. Families often get swept up in the holiday spirit and make impulsive choices, only to discover they are unprepared for the commitment. This can lead to pets being returned to shelters once the novelty fades, causing stress for both the animals and the shelter staff. Dogs and cats require time, attention, training, and love. This responsibility doesn’t disappear when the holidays end. Families must be ready to care for their pets throughout their lives, which can span from 10 to 20 years. Such a long- term commitment deserves thoughtful consideration before adopting during the holiday season.
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