Yeah, I know what you’re thinking.

Your significant other would love to have a puppy or kitten for Christmas. Your child would love to have a new animal around the house.

Could you imagine their face when they open the gift? Could you imagine how happy they would be to finally have a puppy in their home? Would they cry tears of happiness? You may think this will be the best present ever for your significant other or family member; but, have you really thought it through?

No, I’m not saying that giving an animal for Christmas is ALWAYS a bad idea. That’s not what were talking about. There are hundreds if not thousands of shelters across the US that are overflowing with animals that need a forever home. By all means, PLEASE ADOPT. What I want to help prevent is people purchasing animals for people who aren’t ready for an animal quite yet.

People who aren’t ready for an animal this Christmas may be someone that doesn’t have a stable home. This could mean they could be moving from place to place a lot.

This could mean that maybe this someone is not financially stable enough to purchase food when needed or provide basic medical care. A person who isn’t ready for an animal this Christmas could also be someone that has too many pets as it is. (That is if there is such thing as “too many pets”). This could help maybe someone that is allergic to pets and cant stand to be around them longer than 30 minutes. Pretty much, if this person isn’t willing to dedicate their money, time, and emotions to an animal, an animal is not the Christmas present for them.

Animals are supposed to be your best friend. “Man's best friend” I suppose. They take a lot of time and dedication. They require love and affection. They require medical attention at times. When it comes down to it, they require a lot. If they aren’t ready for that type of responsibility, they aren’t ready for an animal.

Every year, a large number of animals get the joy and happiness of living with a caring family. But the reality of it is that they only get to stay with that family a month, maybe two.... maybe a tad longer before they are rehomed or taken back to the shelter. They are in a household long enough to claim their person just to have that person give them up again. Even though they are animals, they have emotions too.

Animal adoptions are a lot like human adoptions in a sense. They are similar in the fact that we have to pick the right home for the right animal. We have to pick the right home for the right child. We have to pick a home that is ready for a life change. (Of course, a child is more of a life change than a dog, but the general idea is the same.)

Not, I am not a PETA loving girl, a “tree hugger,” or some that fight against the fact the caged animals are abused animals. I am simply a girl that loves her animals. I see the pain in animals eyes when they don’t have a home. I see the weakness in their legs from being in a shelter days on end. I see the sadness in their body language because they know they don't have a home. As someone that has worked with animals all of her life, believe me when I say it hurts them more than you.

So please, the next time you purchase an animal, be sure that the animal is going to be loved and well taken care of. Make sure your kids will love them unconditionally. Make sure your brother/sister will be able to house them their whole life. Make sure the animal will not end up on the street or back in a shelter. Animals should hardly ever be a surprise gift. Talk to the person you are gifting them to (unless of course, they are your children) and make sure they are ready for an animal this Christmas They deserve to be loved, not given up again.