Pets as Gifts? Please Read

Pets as Gifts?


Movies and TV have given people the idea that puppies and kittens make heartwarming holiday gifts for kids, spouses and other significant others. But the reality is more often heart-wrenching for most of these living, breathing "gifts", not to mention the families who end up giving up the pets once they grow and require more time, attention, training and expenses than the families can or choose to give.

When you hear of people who plan to give a pet as a gift, please take the opportunity to educate them. Animals cannot speak for themselves, but you can be their voice - and convey the message that pets aren't disposable; they need love and commitment their whole life.

Pets should never be an impulse purchase. Individuals and families thinking of getting a pet should research, prepare and then, when the time is right, seek a pet who realistically complements their lifestyle, schedule and energy level. Many people do not have the time, energy or money to care for a dog over the long term. A new owner may enjoy the animal for a few weeks, but then resent the gift once the novelty wears off, and the cute puppy starts growing into an active, needy, larger dog.

Also, discourage parents from giving pups and kittens to their children as gifts. While children can help with some age-appropriate responsibilities, pets require adult caretakers. Remember, even bright youngsters typically don't have the strength, attention span, self-discipline and physical strength to care for a dog...or even a cat. Older children typically wind up redirecting their attention to friends, school, social activities and eventually dating and planning for college. Unlike with other holiday presents, owners cannot just pop in a fresh battery or put the pet away in the closet after the novelty wears off. In nearly all cases, one of the parents becomes the primary caretaker, doing the feeding, walks, litter scooping and all of the other chores the children once promised to do themselves.

Furthermore, "pets as playthings" is the wrong message to send to children. Pets are living beings who require substantial time and daily care, plus expenses for food, obedience training, vet bills and occasional petsitters or kennels. Children get bored with gifts, and it's heartbreaking when families grow tired of the growing dog. Studies show that too often the gift puppy is given up within the first year, starved for training, socialization and affection. Regardless of what parents tell children and neighbors, the reality is that too many wonderful dogs go unadopted at shelters.

Pups between the ages of 7 to 14 months often wind up at shelters or at the vet for euthanasia, because the owners did not train them, resulting in "behavior problems." Even worse, some owners dump unwanted pets on the road or in the woods, where they cannot survive on their own, since dogs and cats are domesticated animals that depend on humans for care.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, most puppies and kittens born in the United States never reach their second birthdays. They die from being hit by cars, euthanized by owners, starving or being injured in fights with other animals, or taken to shelters or pounds, usually before age two.

As noted by the Pet Action League, the months following the holidays will be very busy for rescue organizations. Many of last year's holiday puppies and kittens are now up for adoption. It is tragic how many poor animals wind up abandoned.

The Dalmatian Club of America adds: "During this time of year, many people capitalize on the flow of emotions and spur of the moment decisions.... This is when the pet stores are full of popular breeds straight from their suppliers -- puppy mills. And, it is not just the pet stores. You need only look in the classified ads to see the flood of people trying to turn the family pet into the Christmas Money Maker."

Keep in mind that reputable breeders don't allow puppies to go home during the holidays because of the delicate state of the animals and the difficulty for new owners to help a new animal acclimate in a holiday setting full of distractions and stress (not to mention puppy choking hazards). To a reputable breeder, safe, responsible environments for their pups is far more important than money.

Because owning a dog is a huge emotional, financial, and time commitment, any person taking on this responsibility must be fully prepared. Puppies need to be housetrained, watched and confined when they cannot be watched to prevent typical puppy chewing and pottying behavior that leads to destruction, accidents and even injuries. Before bringing a pet home, the prospective owners need to have pet care supplies, a crate, a safe and sufficiently large place to exercise the pet, a chosen veterinarian ready.

The decision to bring a dog into your family should be a family decision, not a surprise gift. Everyone, including the children, should educate themselves on different breeds of dogs and decide what breed or mixed breed would fit best into their lifestyle. An adult in the household will be responsible for this pet, not the children. The adult must be willing to accept this responsibility and be willing to care for this pet for the next 15 or so years, which may well be long after the children lose interest or leave the nest.

Instead of buying that cute little puppy or kitten as a gift, give books on pet selection, training, care, health and diet, and individual breeds. Videos and subscriptions to pet magazines and newsletters are also good choices. The AKC (American Kennel Club) also advises pet owners to personally discuss the responsibilities of pet care with prospective owners.

These presents are wonderful ways to introduce the joys of pet ownership and will help the family or individual decide on the right dog to bring home. It's a decision that everyone in the household should make together - when they decide they are truly ready for a new lifetime companion and family member. This will benefit everyone - the gift giver, the family and the deserving animal.

Gift-givers can also help with buying pet care supplies, or offer help with the adoption fee after the holiday season.

Later in this tipsheet, you'll find a listing of webpages featuring excellent books for adults and children...free guides to help people plan for and choose a pet...and more detailed information ideal for educating folks.

Pet Adjustment and Holiday Time

Why are holidays usually a bad time to introduce an animal to a new home?

* The new owners will probably be too occupied with holiday preparations, celebrations, cooking, cleaning and guests and overall activity to give the new pet the attention he or she desperately needs. It is already a jolting adjustment for a puppy to leave his mother and littermates.

The first few days in a new home and with a new family are critical to a puppy. His transition into new home and family will affect his ability to bond with and trust humans. A stressful introduction can have negative after-effects and impede safe, successful integration into the family.

* Busy holiday time is a really hard time to keep to a proper housetraining, feeding and elimination schedule...and it is vital to start housetraining on day one and establish an effective schedule on which the pup can learn to rely on his human caretakers.

* The activities in the household might present safety hazards and increased opportunities for the pup to get in trouble or hurt. Especially when the household is not used to having a pet around and underfoot, it can be hard to keep ornaments, decorations, tinsel, wrapping, string, scissors, candles, potentially poisonous holiday plants and other dangerous items out of animals' reach.

* The holiday hubbub of guests, flashing lights, noisy toys, gift unwrapping, camera snapping, romping children, etc. can scare an animal of any age, particularly a puppy. Guests and household members may even step on pets, which can be traumatic even if no bones are sprained or broken.

* Elderly guests may trip over the pet and get hurt.

* It is essential to always supervise when dogs and children are together. Since this is hard to do during a big holiday, the chances of a bite increase. Children not used to having a dog in the home are more prone to behavior that can frighten a dog or pup, provoking a defensive bite. That's a bad start for kids and the pup alike.

* Visitors entering and leaving the house mean lots of chances for a pet to escape. A new pet can be more prone to running faster and farther since he has not yet bonded with the family, and he is stressed out by his jarring transition to a new, busy place full of large unfamiliar beings.

* The abundance of holiday food, drink and candy will enchant pets, who may get sick from ingesting food or choke on wrappers.

* Giving a pet to a child as a holiday gift is not good for the child or the animal, cautions Dan Lapsley, an educational psychologist at Ball State University. He adds that it is a mistake to use a pet as a way to teach a child responsibility. Even adolescents aren't ready to handle such a commitment of time, money and energy alone, so getting and caring for a pet should be a family venture. Parents need to learn proper animal care first. After all, the best way to teach responsibility is for the parent to demonstrate responsibility.

* Yet another reason to avoid introducing pets on a holiday: young children are often used to being the center of attention, and may be confused, jealous and act out to redirect adults' attention away from the new pet and back to themselves. Lapsley likens the experience to bringing a new child into the family; the parents need to discuss the introduction of the new pet before getting a pet...explain how things are going to change at home...and emphasize that the whole family must work together to make the pet a welcome (and well-adjusted) member of the family.

This is why so many shelters, animal welfare groups and breeders will not place an animal during gift-giving holidays. At some shelters, an estimated 50 percent of holiday adoptees eventually end up back at the shelter.

To improve the chances of a successful adoption, introduce pets during a relaxed, quiet time when you can devote full attention to helping the pet adjust.

Dog of the Week - Please Adopt Petie

Petie - Hound, Dalmatian [Mix]

Medium Young Male Dog

About Petie

My name's Petie and I don't have a tired bone in my body. I love to play tag, hide n seek, and fetch with the volunteers (Sometimes I make them chase me when we play fetch). I love to go for walks and I loving running. I'm looking for an active owner(s) who can GUARANTEE me a lot of exercise, attention, and love for the rest of my life. I have a lot of love to give the world. Come on down to the shelter, and let's have some fun!

My Contact Info
• SPCA in Cattaraugus County
• Olean, NY
• (716) 307-8937
• Or visit our website at www.spcacattco.com and read all about Home for the Holidays!

Why I work wth animals

For The Love of Hope was founded by me.  I've been pretty much a driven person from a very young age by my compassion for animals.


As I grew older I wanted to provide a service to animals that would encompass personal touch, love and health benefits. Building on my knowledge and experience in animal care as both a volunteer and animal owner, I founded For The Love of Hope. I have dedicated my practice to my mother, Hope, a lover of animals who believed that every animal has a story to tell and a lesson to teach. You just need to learn how to listen. I think I've obtained that ability to listen through personal touch. I currently offers professional massage services for dogs and cats with different needs and physical conditions.

Dedicated to Mom:

My practice is dedicated to my mother, Hope, who passed in 1991 after a long battle with breast and brain Cancer.

Back in the days when no one had heard of the words “Animal Rescue” or “Animal Rights” she was a pioneer in her own small way.

Always bringing in strays and enfolding them in her loving arms, she showed me, through her selfless actions that compassion towards an animal was a way of life which not only benefited the animal but us as well. It gave me a strong sense of purpose, showed me the true meaning of unconditional love and promoted, within me, a selfless desire to give.

My mother always told me that every animal has a story to tell and a lesson to teach. That each animal is unique and will share with us a valuable lesson of life & love if we are so inclined to listen.

I hope that by my desire to serve animals, I have, in some way, given back some of the love I have received and will continue to receive from the animals that I have encountered in my lifetime.

I know, in my heart, that my mother is pleased and proud of the love she has spread on this earth.

I thank you mom, for your guidance.

IF I HAVE BEEN OF SERVICE, IF I HAVE GLIMPSED MORE OF THE NATURE AND ESSENCE OF ULTIMATE GOOD, IF I AM INSPIRED TO REACH WIDER HORIZONS OF THOUGHT AND ACTION, IF I AM AT PEACE WITH MYSELF, IT HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL DAY.

Will you Adopt Lovely Sara? Please help

More About Sara


Sara is a lovely girl, who looks very much like a short haired collie..but we think she's a mix, and may have another herding breed in her ancestry..perhaps German Shepherd or Belgian Tervuren? Whatever her pedigree, she's a beautiful dog who is waiting for a loving family to come and claim her as their own. Come see Sara, perhaps take her for a stroll around the shelter grounds. She might just be the perfect dog for you!

Contact Info

• (716) 307-8937 (after 12:00)
Please visit our website - check out the info on Home for the Holidays. www.spcacattco.com

Thank you for caring!

Sometimes Accidents are a Blessing in Disquise

For those of you who don't know, I'm just recovering from a broken ankle. 

I broke my ankle getting off my friends boat back on Septemeber 13 of this year.  Since there was a 50/50 chance that surgery was needed, I was x-rayed every week and was put in a non-weight bearing cast for close to 5 weeks.  Since I live in a two story apartment, it was an interesting dilema....you see, my bathroom is downstairs and my living room and kitchen are upstairs on the main floor.  Well, a walker and a commode later, I was set for my 5 week stint of couch sitting.  As I mentally prepared for my sabatical and psyched myself up for the boring days to come, I did not anticipate what was to happen between me and my dog, Jazz.

My first week home was quite difficult.  I was in great pain every day.  My routine was to get out of bed, butt scoot my way up the stairs and shuffle on my backside to the nearest couch where I spent the majority of my day and night until it was time for bed.  I had someone stop by to make me lunch, say a quick hi and that was about it.  I hired an amazing dog walker who came to my rescue even though she was fully booked and saved us both with her kindness.

Although my first week was a blur, I noticed a change in my dog during the second week.  Since I brought her home back in November of last year, she was always a bit "crazy dog" bouncing everywhere, getting between my legs when I walked, charging the door...basically being a big puppy.  But I started to notice a change.  She didn't race ahead of me anymore, she followed me EVERYWHERE.  She didn't try to trip me, she let me lead the way.  When I yelped in pain, which was quite often, I got licked incesantly.  When I sat on the couch, she sat either next to me or at my feet.  She never tried to use my cast as a chew toy...in fact, she was careful to avoid it.  I've never seen a more gentle Aussie.  My Jazzy became my protector, my nurse, my best friend. 

We developed a daily routine.  We woke up at the same time, we played tug (while I sat) but never too rough, we ate together and we napped together.  I hugged her often, cried on her shoulder, massaged her, scratched her and spoiled her as much as I could.  It was the least I could do....she treated me so well.

As I got better and got my walking cast 5 weeks later, I was able to move around a bit more.  This, I think, made her happy.  She'd follow me while I did the menial chores I was able to do with a walking cast.  Always there in case I fell, tripped, or decided she deserved a treat or two. 

The day I got my cast off was bittersweet.  I was so excited!  That was until I got home.  I realized that I would have to go back to work.  Now mind you, I'm not one to shirk my responsibilities, but I realized that I would have to leave Jazzy.  I would have to give up my naps with her, my quiet time with her, my cuddle time with her.  Things would change again.

My first day back to work was very difficult.  It was like the first day I dropped my daughter off at kindergarten.  Yes, I cried...I'm a wimp.  The only thing that kept running through my head was "what must she be thinking?"  Would she think I deserted her?  Would she think she did something wrong that I've left her?

The night before my first day, as we cuddled on the couch, I talked to her, explained to her I had to go back to work, laughing internally because I knew she had no idea what I was saying.  I just hoped that my soothing voice would feel good to her.

After my first day of work was over, I got home as quickly as I could.  I was greated with "crazy dog" Jazz.  She was so happy to see me.  I know all the rules, the training, the classes, etc. etc.  I know how you're supposed to ignore the dog when you first walk in so it doesn't go nuts.  To that, I have to say, screw it! 

I hugged her tight, ruffled her fur and made her go even more "crazy dog" than she had been when I first walked in.  I wanted her to know I missed her more than she missed me.

Last week was my first full week and I missed her every day.   I'd like to think, no actually I know, that she missed me just as much. 

In a backwards way, I'm glad I was on sick leave.  I'm so glad to have had this opportunity to bond so closely with my dog.  To give her so much love every day for 8 weeks straight.  I love her so very much and I know that she loves me too.

God works in mysterious ways :)

Howie - Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher

Large Adult Male Dog

More About Howie

Howie is a sweetheart, intelligent and good natured, who looks so much like a Rottweiler that his 'other' breed is probably Doberman. This dog is large and strong, and ready to be a faithful companion to some lucky family. But he wishes they'd hurry and adopt him soon! He'd much rather be in his Forever Home, rather here in the shelter with us. Come on in and take a look at this beautiful dog. He just might be the perfect dog for you!



If you are interested in Howie - please call the SPCA at (716) 372-8492 (after 12:00) or visit their website at www.spcacattco.com

Massage Your Dog At Home

Massage can be done at home and is used primarily to improve blood circulation, while increasing the flow of energy. Massage is therapeutic for working out kinks, sore muscles, and joints. Increasing blood flow and the flow of lymphatic fluids throughout the body is beneficial for dogs of all ages but especially older dogs.The benefits of Massage are:

• Lowering blood pressure• Relieves Pain and stiffness
• Helps arthritic pets
• Relieves soft tissue injury
• Improves brain and nerve function
• Aids in digestion and bowel performance
• Helps obese pets increase circulation
• Speeds recovery from surgery
• Improves agility and range of motion
• Facilitates improvement of skin and coat shine

Although, dog massage is best performed by a certified Canine Massage Practitioner, here are some tips on giving your dog a good rub down at home during those times between regular massage visits.

How To Massage Your Pet:

Have your dog lie down on its side on a rug or mat and make it comfortable. Put on some relaxing music and avoid distracting toys and food or treats. This is a great time for bonding with a new dog or puppy or just spending some quality time with your pet while relieving pet pain and stress.

Start at the scalp by rubbing with thumbs around the skull and lightly on the sides of the head. Move to the neck muscles which get a work out daily so you may feel some tension in the neck rub gently until the stiffness disappears or the muscles become softer.

Next rub the shoulders along the spine bones as these are the strongest muscles and feel for the major muscles while rubbing gently. Do not just move the skin find the muscles with your fingers as you get to know the anatomy of your dog. Using your two thumbs find the spine and rub the muscles on each side of the spine by rubbing away from the spine. Your dog will probably be drooling at this point.

In the front of course you have the chest and stomach area and every dog owner knows how much your dog loves a tummy rub. Dogs will lie on their back without too much coaxing at this point and enjoy every minute of your massage work. Rub gently in circular motions along the stomach area which increases blood flow and digestion. Massaging the bowels will initiate healthy bowel movements. Rub in a clockwise direction for 3 turns and then in a counterclockwise direction for 3 turns again. Repeat this tai chi motion for the benefits of moving your pet bowels.

This massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to ½ hour.

Please note that it is important to massage the entire dog. Never just massage an area that is sore.

Finally, there are some instances in which it is not advisable to massage your dog. Some contraindications are cancer, skin lesions, fever, shock, skin disease and fractures among others.

Please consult your veterinarian prior to massage if you have any concerns.

If you would like more information, please contact Vicki Sutkowski at fortheloveofhope@ymail.com or 416-452-1588.

Please note that massage is not a replacement for veterinary care.

Vicki Sutkowski, CMP, ARPFor the Love of Hope Dog Massage and StretchingAnimal Reiki Services416-452-1588 or Fortheloveofhope@ymail.comMobile Services in and around the GTA

Here's Travis! Won't you consider rescuing him>??

Hello! My name is Travis. I am one of the most endearing dogs you’ll ever meet. I LOVE to go for walks with the volunteers. When I see someone coming with a leash my I get totally bug-eyed and I start shaking with excitement. That’s how bad I want to get out of my kennel and smell the grass and make new friends. I love to have my belly rubbed. And if you happen to be standing by my kennel, just so you don’t forget I’m here, I will put my paw through the bars and touch you - just to make sure you don’t forget to take me for a walk. Travis has been at the SPCA for a few years now - unfortunately black dogs are the most difficult dogs to adopt out - and he seems to be passed over all the time. He really needs to have a home of his own, he is an older dog, but with the heart and spirit of a young playful dog. Please consider giving Travis his very own forever home. The picture does him no justice - he is a cutie in person. To see a picture of Travis, please click here :) I hope to have a picture to download shortly.If you are interested in Travis, please visit the SPCA's website at www.spcacattco.comor call 372-8492 (after 12:00)