Pets Returned After Given As Christmas Gifts
By: Brittany Escobar
Updated: January 7, 2013
The Lubbock Animal Shelter said it may not have been a good gift idea to have a pet under your Christmas tree, but just incase you did here's some advice
"Please bring it to us, don't try to dump it off to someone else or don't dump it outside," said Jackie Stephens.
That's if you've realized a pet is something you can't handle.
"If you are wanting to get one as a gift, please think twice, talk to the person that's receiving the gift and the parents of the person receiving the gift, make sure they are totally great with handling this responsibility," she said.
Stephens said they tend to get busy after the Christmas holiday.
"Usually two to three weeks into January we see a few of the pets coming in."
The animal shelter sees several owner surrenders all because of pets being given as gifts, but Stephens said these returns can be avoided.
"We always encourage people think before you buy this cute little puppy or kitten and take it home make sure you are ready for the responsibility," said Stephens
The Lubbock Animal Shelter has seen a few returns this year, but not near as many as in years past.
"Knock on wood, we haven't seen a lot these first two weeks," she said, "so we are hoping it's not as bad this year as what it's been."
The animal shelter ask that you do your part as well research the breed and really take into consideration how big of a responsibility your taking on no matter the size of the pet.
