A Pet for the Holidays?

While trendy presents come and go, the joy of a new pet remains one of the most popular gifts each holiday season. Patch reached out to a few local pet experts to provide tips for those who plan on bringing a four-legged family member into their home this holiday.

Prospective dog and cat owners are encouraged to educate themselves on the responsibilities of creating a safe and healthy environment for the animal. Besides the cold weather, there are various dangers that new pets are faced with this time of year, so it's important to pet-proof your home. The hectic side of the holidays can often blind us of the hazards that exist for new pets, and the steps to avoid an unfortunate occurrence aren't difficult.

Dr. Saul Zucker at the Cranford Veterinary Hospital recommends keeping tinsel, low-hanging ornaments and glass ornaments out of reach from your cat or dog and to make sure all electrical chords are fully covered. 

Claudia Loomis, vice president of  suggests keeping the holiday season as a time for planning rather than buying a new pet, as the housebreaking process is certainly easier in the warmer months for pet owners. Putting a collar and a pet-care book under the tree can be exciting, too, and then a family can take the next steps in choosing a dog or cat together.

Kellie Murphy, another Cherrybrook employee, cautions that mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous to dogs and to keep them as far out of reach as possible. Other things like gift wrapping and glass shouldn't be left on the floor or where pets can reach them, and owners are encouraged to avoid table feeding your new dog or cat as tempting as it may be, especially during the holidays.

Looking for something more exotic? Charlie Frank, owner of Pet Shanty in Scotch Plains, was able to give us some tips on birds and fish. "Birds must be kept in a warm environment over the holiday months," says Frank. "Be certain they're in a warm enough place and always be mindful of cold drafts and open windows."

For those buying fish for children, it's best to start small, says Frank. "Buy them a single goldfish and a starter tank. Maintenance is minimal and it's a great way to teach them to become a responsible pet owner," he says. 

Sylvia O'Connell from the Jersey Shore Animal Center in Brick advises parents to be realistic about pet ownership. "It's important to make sure both parents are on board," she says. "Once the novelty wears off, mom and dad are the ones next in line to walk the dog or feed the cat, so it's important the family is in agreement. And if you are going to get a pet, shelters are truly bursting with animals in need of homes."

Speaking of adopting: All Star Pet Rescue, an all-volunteer, non-profit, no-kill organization comprised solely of foster homes for homeless pets, will have animals up for adoption at Barnes and Noble in Clark this Thursday, Dec. 23 from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.