As the season of giving comes into full swing, the community should take note that some things aren’t meant to be gifted away. Ashley Thompson, the director of the Daviess County Animal Shelter, says that animals are an important example.
“Over the years, we’ve seen people adopt animals for somebody else, and we don’t allow that anymore,” Thompson said. “Several years ago, people would give animals as gifts, then someone would run back within a couple hours and say they didn’t want a pet anymore or they didn’t think the animal was right for them.”
If someone is sure that an animal is the best gift for his or her loved one, Thompson recommends that he or she pays for an adoption and allows the recipients to come to the shelter and pick the animal themselves. This way, the future owner gets to decide which pet most effectively suits their family and their needs.
“You’re going to know which animal you bond with and which animal you think is going to fit best in your home. It’s hard for somebody else to come in and make that choice for you,” Thompson said. “If you’re going to be living with the animal, you need to pick it out and decide which one will be best for you.”
Families should take caution even when buying animals, specifically puppies and kittens, as gifts for themselves this holiday season. During her 14 years at the shelter, Thompson has seen many cats and dogs be given up simply because the animal grew older and is not as small as it once was.
“People often get an animal when it’s younger because it’s cute and more of an impulse buy. Then, later on, they decide it’s not the right fit for the family,” Thompson said. “We want animals to have a forever home and not to be passed around. That way they don’t have to be uprooted again.”
There are many animals in the shelter in desperate need of a “lifetime home.” To view a selection of the animals currently up for adoption or to view the Adoption and Foster Application, click here.
