Adriene Mishler’s heart was mended when her boyfriend surprised her with a puppy that looked a lot like the dog she had lost. Later named Benji, this furry friend has now captured the affection of more than 12 million people and has become a regular face on her YouTube channel, Yoga with Adriene.
Mishler and Benji’s story had a happy outcome, but that’s not always the case for everyone. Suprising someone with a pet is not ideal, especially during the chaotic holiday season. Instead, offering a pet with some planning and without the element of surprise can improve the lives of both animals and humans.
Amidst the overflow of animals in shelters and rescue groups caused by the economy and rising supply costs, shelter operators and animal welfare organizations have encouraged a more personal, conversational approach to screening new homes. However, this new approach often requires the involvement of prospective pet owners and removes the spontaneous and photo-worthy moment of leaving a furry friend under the Christmas tree.
Some shelters have turned to Santa-adorned gift certificates that can be presented on Christmas Day. They also suggest wrapping up all the necessary supplies for a pet and letting the gift recipient choose the animal later. Otherwise, shelters will send staff or trained volunteers to deliver the animal, answer questions, and facilitate the settling-in process.
According to Jackson Galaxy, a cat behaviorist, and host of Animal Planet’s “My Cat from Hell,” introducing a pet to a new home during the stressful holiday season can be beneficial, so long as it is done with care.
Although there is an unsubstantiated myth that more and more animals are turned over to shelters after the holidays, the data suggests that this is not a widespread issue. According to the available data, it’s not a significant problem.