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Columbia-Greene Humane Society
125 Humane-Society Road
Soft Paws By Aaron Clause How Much Is That Puppy in the Window? No doubt, the Columbia-Greene Humane Society is a bustling place as December the 25th nears. Many potential adopters stroll in to browse our puppy and kitten “aisles” for the perfect present – complete with box, bow, tag, and air holes – to wrap up for an anxious child as a Christmas morning surprise. Why not? The price is more than reasonable, and there’s nothing a little boy or girl would love more than a new pet, right? Well, being on the end that sees so many of these wonderful “presents” come in to the shelter after a month or two, I’d like those that would be seasonal pet shoppers to consider asking yourself the following questions: 1) Who is this for? If the answer is “for my young _______ (fill in the blank – son, cousin, nephew, granddaughter, etc.),”you may want to review your gift decision. A puppy or kitten can be compared to a new toy at Christmas – enjoyed greatly for one or two weeks, then discarded. If YOU are not prepared to take over at this point, DO NOT get a pet. It is much less cruel to let an animal stay here for the holidays rather than make it feel at home only to be sent back. 2) Am I prepared to commit 20 years of my life to this pet? If the answer is “no,” DO NOT get a pet! Twenty years is a standard amount of time to dedicate to well-kept pets, and you need to be ready to devote that length of time to feeding, walking, bathing, and ensuring health and safety for your new companion. 3) Am I prepared to spend the time necessary for my new pet to become comfortable in my home? It takes about eight weeks for a pet to start to adjust to its new surroundings. Most behaviors that need correcting (i.e., chewing, marking, separation anxiety, etc.) tend to arise in the first four weeks. Is it really fair to put your pet through an exciting and eventful holiday celebration while trying so hard to overcome these other crises? If you do plan on having a brand new pet attend the ceremonies, make extra sure to include time in your routines dedicated to your pet’s well being! 4) I have read the last three questions, and have decided that I am ready to bring a pet home for Christmas – what, if anything, do I need to do now? If it is to be your pet, always keep in mind the last three questions, and ask them of yourself regularly – it will help you to remember what your companion needs. If you plan on bringing the pet home for someone else, do a few things; first, bring the person in to choose their pet – it is going to be theirs, right? They need to choose based on their preferences to make an optimal lifetime match. Second, have the new owner come in well before or after the holidays. It will help the relationship to avoid all the stress of the season, and spend more of their introductory period with each other. Finally, think of the present as well as the receiver to ensure a long lasting friendship. Keep our other animals happy this holiday season! If you or your business would like to donate to the shelter as a present to our furry unfortunates, here are some items from their Christmas Wish List: - Stereos (“boxes”) for comforting nighttime music in all of our buildings - Towels and Blankets - Food (Canned for dogs or cats, or Kitten Chow and other dry cat food) - Cat Treats and Catnip - Kitty and Doggie Toys - Adoption Sponsorships To make larger scale or monetary contributions, or if you have any questions pertaining to the shelter, donations, or holiday tips, please call us at (518) 828-6044, or stop by the Columbia-Greene Humane Society located on Route 66 1 ¼ miles south of the intersection with Route 9H near Hudson. May you and all your pets have the happiest of holiday seasons!
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