Adopting A Pet This Christmas? Here Are Some Tips

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – They are one of the most popular Christmas gifts, adopting a pet from your local humane society can not only add happiness to your home, but also help your local shelter.

Before you adopt, you might want to listen to these tips to better prepare for your new family member.
It’s a busy time at the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society.

In the first week of December, nearly 100 animals came to the shelter.

“We stay full most of the time but we’re like extra full right now, so we got animals everywhere,” said the shelter manager, Jason Nickles.

Nickles says for many, the holiday season is the perfect time to find a forever home for these furry four-legged animals.

But one problem can come up when families underestimate the responsibility of owning a pet.

“Right, we want to get it right the first time, if you can help it. So we screen people pretty good and we kind of get to know the animals here and try to get to know the family and just kind of match up what would be the best fit, cause definitely you don’t want them to go out and then come right back and we’ve seen that happen in the past,” said Nickles.

If you are one of the families who will be shopping for a pet this Christmas,remember these important tips.

“Just think about it, the long-term because it’s a 10 or 15 year commitment, if not longer. think about it when you have to go on vacation, where are you going to put the pet.Stuff like that. Just make sure that the person, if you are getting one for a gift know that they’re getting one and sometimes what people have done is instead of coming up here and actually picking an animal out and taking it back and saying surprise, sometimes they buy a little stuffed animal like a cat or do and they’ll surprise them with that and let the person come up here and pick out their animal and that may be the best option,” said Nickles.

For the Thompson family, they understand the commitment and are ready to take their newly adopted kitten home.

“My little girl Audrey, she’s been wanting to get a cat, so they got out of school at 1, so we decided to come up here and look and see. I think we’re going to get a little grey one, a male.
Just in time for Christmas? That’s what she’s wanted, so we’re gonna adopt and get one,” said Brent Thompson.

 

” Are you excited about getting a kitten? Yes! How excited are you? Very,” said Audrey Thompson, new kitten owner.

Excitement that will last far after the holiday’s are over.

The humane society is always in need of food and other pet supplies. If you would like to donate, call the shelter at 662-321-3107 or visit their website http://www.clhumanesociety.org/

Categories: Local News

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