Christmas is coming up, and so is an unfortunate epidemic of abandoned pets. Annually, parents get pets for their children for holidays and birthdays without thinking about it. The bunny or puppy that they've seen on their way home from work is cute, and surely their child will think so too. Except that cute grows up, and, tragically enough, an older animal who is no longer an energetic puppy can be considered less cute and more of a hassle in the owner's eyes. Young children may not understand the commitment of taking care of a pet, or it might just be the truth that the aesthetic appeal has worn off. But just because your fluffy friend isn't a baby anymore doesn't mean it's not worthy of love.

I am at college now, but back home I was a serial shelter visitor. We didn't have room at home for me to bring home another pet, but I didn't go with that in mind. I went with the idea that I would make the pets available feel loved for the time I was there, which was usually the majority of the day. I'd go with friends sometimes and their reactions were heartwarming. A particular friend of mine, who had never gone to an animal shelter before, cried because she was so happy. It was one of the best things I've ever been able to witness.

The sad part is, I visited what people subconsciously think of as 'the undesirables'. The older cats in the FIV positive ward were the sweetest, fluffiest babies I could have spent my day with. The room of kittens- healthy, month-old kittens with fluttery tails and stereotypically sweet faces- was always full of visitors, usually young children. But the halls of older animals and those who might have special needs or need extra medical attention were almost always sparsely populated.

I'm sure very few people go into an animal shelter with conscious expectations. They might know what sort of pet they want, or an age, but they're not aware of the cosmetic factors that often make possible adopters turn an animal down. People will pass over black cats because of the lore around them, even if they don't claim to be superstitious. They will look in the window of a dog with three legs and feel sorry for it, but pass it over anyway. It's much easier to gravitate towards a cute kitten or puppy, whose medical issues might not be known yet, than to take a chance with a lesser animal.

Only these animals aren't lesser at all. They're still capable of love and loyalty. A deaf older tom might compensate for it by purring so loudly and adorably that no one in the room can help but smile. A 'crippled' dog can still run around and play catch with you, even if he is a little slow and shakey. Animals with immunodeficiency diseases usually still live long and productive lives, proving themselves to be good companions for at least ten years. And that's ten years of joy you could have, if you just gave them a chance. Even animals without problems have probably been slighted by a previous owner, and they're in need of a good home.

So this Halloween, consider honoring the season and bringing home a fluffy black cat. For Christmas, consider a juvenile dog for your child to see under the tree and fall in love with. If you see an animal with a medical issue or impairment, please give it a chance and walk in. It may very well turn out to be the pet of your dreams.