As a child, almost every kid wanted to wake up on Christmas morning and open up that one big box and hope for a small animal to be in it; whether that be a puppy or a kitten or any other animal. However, this isn’t really a realistic idea.

The temptation to buy an animal as present for a child, or an adult, is hard to resist, but the holidays are not the right time for a gift that requires a big commitment. Children might equate a puppy with a toy or the animal could be neglected in all the chaos of the holiday season. It is better to wait until after the holiday season and weigh all the pros and cons of pet ownership

Some of the cons for adopting an animal during the holidays are if you are getting a younger child a pet, the adults will be the ones to take are of it. Small children cannot even take care of themselves, let alone an animal younger than them. It’s important that children realize from an early age that a pet is a living, breathing creature that requires gentle handling, proper feeding, and a certain amount of clean up.  

The holidays tend to be rather busy and pets can get a little stressed. If you’re planning to go out of town or have a houseful of family guests, schedule a pet adoption when you’ll have more time to devote to your new pet. That might mean adopting well before the holidays, giving the pet a chance to acclimate to its new home before the madness starts, or waiting until after the holidays, when the busyness is over

Shelters and rescue groups have started embracing pet adoptions at the holidays. Most rescue groups now offer special rates on pets and encourage families to add a new member during the holiday seasons.

While this might look like a “deal,” be sure to know what you’re getting into before adopting a pet. Make sure you have the time to take care of a small animal to give it the happiness and home it needs.