Living proof that holiday pets make great gifts

For years, many a child has been surprised on Christmas morning to find a furry bundle under the tree in the form of a puppy or a kitten.

In recent years, however, word in some circles is that the holidays are not a good time to give pets as gifts.

Not so, say officials at the Wisconsin Humane Society in Saukville.

“Contrary to popular belief, adoptions during the holidays, or even gift adoptions, can make for very successful placements,” Humane Society spokeswoman Angela Speed said, adding that research shows the attachment to a pet adopted as a gift is no different than a traditional adoption.

Just ask Saukville resident Jamie Laabs and her daughter Arianna, 10.

For the past two years, they have been fostering animals from the Humane Society, mostly kittens.

They don’t foster just during the holidays but do so year-round.

The Laabs see no difference between the bonds they form during the year and the bonds they form during the holidays, Jamie said.

“Socialization is very important for the animals,” she said, no matter the season. “Little kittens can get skittish, but we’re socializing them, and from day one they are getting used to people.”

They also have to get used to Laabs’ two dogs, one cat and some fish. 

This season, Laabs’ family has also taken in a rabbit.

“This guy is pretty laid back,” Laabs said. “He spends most of his time in the living room. But if he seems terrified or upset, I take him upstairs and close the door.”

Fostering is something Laabs said she believed her family could do that would help at the Humane Society.

“It always intrigued me,” she said. “I thought it would be a kind of cool thing to do.”

Laabs chose to generally foster kittens and their mothers because they are too little to be adopted, she said.

“It has been a wonderful experience for our family. A new fresh face is awesome,” she said.

“It is hard when we have to bring them back. My daughter is a little shy and it’s been helpful.”

Speed said animals given as gifts are more likely to be kept in their new homes.

“Many people have vacation time and are able to spend more time helping their new arrival adapt, so it can be a perfect time to adopt for many families,” she said. 

For more information on adopting or fostering pets from the Wisconsin Humane Society, or to check out available animals, visit www.wihumane.org.