As families across Door County finish up holiday shopping and prepare for Christmas celebrations, some are considering whether bringing a new pet home during the holidays is the right choice. According to the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS), for many households, the holiday season can actually be an ideal time to adopt, when done thoughtfully.
“There’s a long standing belief that pets given as gifts around the holidays often end up back in shelters weeks later,” says Corey Viars, media specialist at the WHS Green Bay Campus. “But our data shows that simply isn’t true. In fact ASPCA data shows that pets adopted as gifts are more likely to stay in their homes long-term.”
WHS reports no significant increase in returns following the holiday season, noting that most adopters have already spent months considering pet ownership before making the decision. In a survey of more than 10,000 WHS adopters, only three percent said they had been thinking about getting a pet for less than a week, while more than 75 percent had been planning for six months or longer.
Viars says that for Door County families, winter can be a great time to welcome a new pet, especially with more time spent indoors bonding, training, and establishing routines. He encourages adopters to set pets up for success by starting with basic training, obtaining proper supplies before adopting, and gradually introducing pets to holiday visitors and winter activities.
Viars cautions against adopting if holiday travel plans would leave a new pet without proper care, and strongly advises against gifting an animal to someone who has not expressed interest in owning one. For those unsure, WHS gift certificates remain a popular option and can be used for adoptions, supplies, and merchandise.
The WHS also remains a long-term resource for adopters, offering guidance on training, behavior, and general pet care, helpful support for first-time pet owners throughout Door County. To view animals available for adoption, make a donation, or learn how to get involved, visit the WHS website.
