Photo Courtesy of the Coastal Humane Society
Sen. Addabbo is urging anyone thinking of buying a pet as a holiday gift to research all the responsibilities and costs that go along with the animal.
By Michael V. Cusenza
If you’re considering purchasing a pet for someone this holiday season, take the time to learn all you can about caring for the animal before gifting it, cautioned State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach).
“While a pet may seem like the perfect gift for someone, there are other things to consider before agreeing to adopt a pet into your family,” said Addabbo. “The cost of a pet goes far beyond the initial purchase price – with food, vaccinations, medical care, grooming, toys, boarding and other expenses potentially rising upwards of $1,000 per pet every year. It is important that all costs and responsibilities are carefully considered before committing to years of caring for an animal.”
Many young children wish for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds or other small pets as a holiday present without much knowledge about what caring for an animal truly entails, Addabbo noted. This often leads to pets being abandoned soon after the holiday or not properly cared for once the new owner realizes the time-consuming tasks and costs associated with taking care of the animal.
Experts offered these tips to the online health information resource WebMD to help you make sure that that gift is actually a good idea:
- Give friends and family a pet as a gift – but never as a surprise
- Pay the pet’s adoption fees
- Give a pet as a gift to immediate family only
- Avoid impulse
“In many homes, pets are part of the family and bring much joy to children and adults alike, while also teaching kids about responsibility and caring for another living creature,” Addabbo said. “But owning a pet is not always all fun and games, and it is important to remember the work involved also. I encourage all families who wish to give a pet as a gift this year to do so responsibly by learning about the animal beforehand and making sure the pet goes to a loving owner who will know how to keep it safe and healthy for years to come.”
In order to be properly educated on what to expect when caring for a pet, Addabbo encourages people to research the needs of the particular animal they intend to adopt before bringing it home. He added that he urges those wishing to buy a pet to consider the schedule and responsibilities of the person receiving the gift before giving it to them.
