The Gift of a Lifetime

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Cat - Holiday

The Gift of a Lifetime

When a new puppy or kitty appears at the top of your youngster's wish list, you may be adding a trip to the pet store to your holiday plans. But, unlike other last-minute holiday purchases, getting a dog, cat, bird or even a fish to surprise the little ones takes a lot of planning.

A living gift will be a far cry from poor-fitting sweatshirts you can return or toys you can set aside. A new pet is a long-term, full-time commitment, requiring thought, care and responsibility. You want to be sure everyone will be ready, without spoiling the surprise! So how do you manage? Plan ahead, PETCO style.

Setting the Stage

Go over gift lists together to see if your child will appreciate and care for a new pet. Ask your child about how she would care for her new pet if someone granted her wish for a puppy, kitten, parrot or lizard. Would she be willing to feed and take care of it, including extra messes? She'll most likely promise to do everything, but you should realize, the younger the child, the more responsibility will fall to you.

Getting Ready for the Surprise

Once you decide your family is ready for a new pet, do a little homework. Here's a quick list of things you should do before the big day.

Take your child to the pet store or local adoption agency to confirm what breed or type of pet she wants. Does she dream of a Dalmatian? Is she going for a German Shepherd? Some gentle steering now can dissuade her from insisting Santa bring a St. Bernard to a small apartment!
Thoroughly research the animal's care, maintenance and training requirements: Does he need special handling, housing, food or climate control? How easily will he acclimate to his new home?
Prepare a list of staples the pet will need, and put them on the wish list. Include a cage, leash, shampoo, toys and accessories so you won't be surprised by a barrage of additional expenses.
Add health and cleaning items to cope with the accidents that are part of every new pet's first days at home. Pet care starter kits (complete with easy clean-up, absorbent pads, stain and odor remover and behavior training aids) will come in handy for the first few days when your new kitten hasn't quite learned the litter routine. A first aid kit is another essential item.
Find a good veterinarian in your local community. Determine whether you need to get a license or community permit, set a vaccination schedule and take care of any necessary paperwork.
Prepare your pet's new home in advance. Amphibians, reptiles or fish need aquariums, filters, heaters, plants and other accessories. Many of these homes need time to settle before they will sustain a new pet. Your new bird or rodent will require a cage, bedding or cage liner, dishes and toys. A larger animal, such as a puppy or a kitten, will also need a bed and a carrier or crate.

Presenting the Gift of a Lifetime

Imagining your child's wide-eyed delight may entice you to tie a red bow around the puppy's neck or the hamster's cage and leave him amid the other packages. But that guarantees stressing out your newest family member before he's even been discovered by the family! It's better to wrap the cage and accessories with a photo of the animal for presentation on the actual holiday. In fact, the best option to introduce a new pet into your home around the holidays is to wait until after the season is over and things have settled down. You can give a gift certificate or voucher for the new pet buddy that the recipient can then take to choose her own new pet.

Ensuring the pet's well being is as important as the broad grins you'll get from your kids when they learn you're granting their holiday wish.