With the Christmas season upon us, the Moose Jaw Humane Society is warning that adopting a pet for the holidays is a life-long commitment.
Fundraiser coordinator Amanda Tetarenko recommends that adults that would like a pet for Christmas should come down to the shelter themselves to pick out the animal.
On the other hand, she said children should not receive an animal as a Christmas gift unless the parents are ready to take on the responsibility.
“You need to be prepared to take it on for you, not for the child,” Tetarenko said. “The child cannot be responsible. Even if they are 12 or 13 they still cannot be responsible for the life of a pet, the bills associated — the vet bills, food bills — just the general upkeep of having a dog.”
Some of the animals at the shelter wouldn’t mind receiving a few gifts for Christmas themselves.
The humane society is open to all donations to go towards the shelter, whether it is food, toys or money.
“Of course, for us money is always a big one because we can use it on the things we need. We have some pretty high medical costs right now and it would be great if we could have money towards the vet bills,” Tetarenko said.
This season the shelter has a Christmas tree in the lobby lined with toys. Visitors can choose to purchase a toy from the tree for their own pet or for the shelter animals. Toys purchased for the shelter animals will go home with them when they are adopted.
Tetarenko says they have seen a large influx of kittens this fall and people are still finding kittens in odd places.
As well, they are finding a lot of people who are feeding stray cats during the summer and then bringing them into the shelter once winter hits.
“We would prefer in the future if they bring them when they find them, not keep them all summer,” Tetarenko said.
She also recommended that they contact the shelter before bringing the animal in to make sure there is room.
“We would often say if we are really full can you hold on to it for a day or two and then we can take it in,” she said.
Anyone interested in donating to the Moose Jaw Humane Society or would like to learn about volunteer opportunities can contact the shelter.
