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Experts: Avoid Adopting a Pet During Holiday Season
Megan Horst Hatch, Buffalo Grove Patch

Are you thinking of getting a new pet for the holidays? If so, some Buffalo Grove-area pet experts suggest you delay the acquisition.

Angela Lambert, assistant manager of Kay’s Animal Shelter in Arlington Heights, advised waiting until after Thanksgiving or Christmas to get a new pet. “Wait until the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over so animals can get used to your house,” she said. “With the holidays, you also need to make sure the animal doesn’t escape, such as when the door opens and closes for guests. You need to make sure the animal's needs are being met.”

She noted the shelter traditionally has been busy the Friday after Thanksgiving, as people are take advantage of the long weekend to find a pet. Established in 1953, Kay’s Animal Shelter is one of the oldest animal shelters in northern Illinois.

Veterinary Specialty Center, which provides 24-hour care for specialty, emergency and critical care situations, advised against acquiring a new pet right around the holidays. In an emailed statement, Veterinary Specialty Center noted the following:

“Welcoming a new pet into your family is a gift that keeps on giving but is not something that we recommend for the holiday season. With shopping and family events, new pets are often neglected and left to fend for themselves. Because owning a pet is such a big responsibility, we advise each member of the family to be on board and educated with the needs and often, continuous demands, that a pet can require. Be sure to research your pet’s needs so that your family is prepared to provide the proper care and attention.”

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