No live animals as gifts for the holidays?
I agree!
What can I give to my fellow pet lovers?
Education
- Training classes at a local business you’ve checked out ahead of time
- Books, DVDs, magazine subscriptions—for adults and for children
- Visits to a local zoo or wildlife rescue with photos of the fun you have
Equipment
- Dogs—beds, bowls, leashes, collars or harnesses, crates, toys
- Cats—beds, bowls, scratching posts, climbing trees, litter boxes
- Ferrets—cage accessories, beds, hammocks, tubes and tunnels
- Birds—cage accessories, perches, chew toys, interactive toys
Treats—seasonal, home-made, mixes, cookie cutters, containers
Food—supplements, frozen raw, canned, kibble, special mixes
Care—grooming equipment, trip to the groomer, grooming products
Personal Services
- Kids—walking well-behaved dog, drop-in visits during owner’s workday
- Adults—overnight animal care, assistance on vet visits, transportation
- Family or friends—vacation pet care, spring poop-scooping
Home-Made
- Bedding—most furry pets can always use an extra washable bed
- Towels—for dirt, mud, rain, snow removal, as well as after bathing
- Toys—whatever the animal likes; treasured toys can be made at home
Special-Order
- Photographs—made into pillows, blankets, coasters, calendars
- DNA tests—test for breed background and genetic disorders
- Gift certificates—when you don’t know the pet’s preferences
To Say Thanks
- Veterinary clinics—holiday treats for the human workers always seem to be welcome!
- Shelters, rescues—treats for humans and animals, good reviews on local websites
- Friends and neighbors—again, holiday treats for both humans and animals are great
For Animal Lovers
- Donate in their honor to a local shelter, rescue, animal rehab center, or charity. And don’t forget, in most cases you can donate time instead of money. Volunteer hours in the name of a friend or relative!
- Feed the birds or wildlife—equipment and supplies for bird-feeders, squirrel-watchers.
- Sponsor a pet or foster a pet through a local shelter or rescue. These animals might need veterinary care, specialized training, or simply a place to stay for a short time.
- Support your local shelters with membership, food donations, and supplies!
For Your Own Pets
- Special expenses—Save up to give your pet that “optional” vet visit you’ve been putting off; for example: dental care. (February is Dental Health Month for pets, with veterinary discounts!)
- Health insurance—especially if you have a puppy or kitten, or a new pet in the family
- Portrait session—with a professional photographer . . . or even a painter!
- Family reunion—Does your pet have brothers or sisters he hasn’t seen since he was a baby? Contact the breeder to see about arranging for the siblings and their owners to get together! No family? How about meeting up with some of his friends from training classes or in the neighborhood? Take a walk together (leashes mandatory) to see if everyone still gets along, bring doggy treats to share.
- Quiet time—Remember, the holidays can be just as stressful for your pets as they are for you! Set up a room where your pet can hang out when the company gets raucous, play a little background music, leave him in a crate or kennel with a frozen KONG full of yummy food or the newest chew toy.
- Exercise—Take your dog for walks, throw a ball in the back yard; engage your cat with a chase toy; get your ferrets out of their cage when company goes home. A tired animal is your goal.
- Safety—Of course, take extra precautions to keep your pet and the holiday decorations and goodies separate. You know the drill, your guests may not. Explain the rules, thank everyone for their cooperation. Now is not the time to make exceptions! Reinforce good guest behavior.
- Appreciation—Even in the busiest times, notice and praise when your pet is behaving well. (I’ve heard this method also works on friends and family, especially children!) One of the most rewarding experiences in pet-owning is watching your critter have a good time. It’s your job to make sure he’s safe, sound, and happy so he can enjoy being with you as much as you enjoy being with him!
