The following is from a series on self-care to help you through the holidays.  So here’s wishing you a cruelty free Christmas or joyous holiday!

Christmas Pets.  Personally, I hate the idea of giving an animal as a gift.  I think it sends the wrong message to children.  It’s also a very difficult transition for the animal amplified by the chaos of the holidays.  Additionally, there are Christmas items that are toxic to pets (i.e. chocolate for dogs, poinsettias for cats, etc).

If you want to purchase or adopt an animal, it’s best to do so well in advance of the holidays or after the company leave. If you really want to plan this as a Christmas event, buy and wrap a book about the dogs or cats for your child.  Insert a card letting the child know that they will be able to pick out a pet after the holidays are over.  Use this as a time to teach your children that pet safety is an important part of pet care and that you want the new animal to be safe.  Unfortunately, by February 1st, many new pets are brought to shelters because of a poor understanding on how to care for and train a pet.