Local animal shelter asks families to think before adopting pet during holiday season

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Animal shelters see dozens of pets come and go every week.

But the month of December tends to be the busiest time of the year for adoptions.

The Oktibbeha County Humane Society is asking families to think before adopting a pet for Christmas.

During the holiday season, families adopt new pets as presents for children or a significant others, usually giving up an older pet.

On average, 60 animals are dropped off at the shelter per week. During the holidays, those numbers double.

“Pets are a lifetime commitment and we want to make sure that everyone knows that this holiday season dogs and cats have a lifespan of over 10 years so if you adopt that 5-year-old dog to make sure that you are ready for that commitment or that time,” said pet marketing assistant Erica Claycomb.

You can visit the Oktibbeha County Humane Society’s website for more information about the adoption process.