Christmas is the season of giving, and one item on someone's wish list this year may be a new pet.
Karen Walsh, Executive Director McKamey Animal Center said, "Even my own kids with all the animals that we have, have asked for another kitten or another puppy for Christmas. And some of the things that people need to take into consideration as exciting as that is, is how much time they have." Not only time, but Karen Walsh said to make sure the recipient actually wants a pet. Walsh said, "A lot of people have elderly parents that are in a position where they suddenly find themselves alone, and they think I'm going to get grandma and grandpa a kitten or puppy. That may not be what grandma or grandpa want."
If a pet is what the family wants this holiday season, but your worried about the new pet fitting in the animal center has a solution. Walsh said, "We do meet and greets here with children, and with their other pets that you might have in the household, and the other dog to make sure that everybody is going to get along. So there isn't a big battle on Christmas morning or anytime once that pet comes home." Whether it's a new pet coming home or an old one, animals get excited about the holidays especially when theres more food around. Dr. Andrew Smith, Associate Veterinarian East Ridge Animal Hospital said, "There are certain diseases that we do see over the holidays like Pancreatitis which can be set off by eating fatty foods. So, like the holiday ham is notorious for causing Pancreatitis." Dr. Smith encourages everyone to resist giving your pets anything other than pet food.
If you are interested in adopting a pet this holiday season you can contact the McKamey Animal Center at 423-305-6500. Also, if your pet gets sick over the holiday you can contact East Ridge Animal Hospital at 423-622-2209.
