all creatures great and small

December 15, 2011

Pets can make purrfect presents, so here's a few hints to welcome one into your heart this gift giving season.....

So, you’re buying a puppy or kitten as a new addition to your household this present giving season. Make sure you word up any house guests you may be hosting during this time. A new pet will be getting used to it's surroundings and will be more than a bit shy until it's found it's feet, it's important to make it as stress free as possible. Make sure you lay down the ground rules for any visitors, especially children. Never leave a new pet unsupervised with a child. Most children will be tempted to chase, pat, handle or poke at your new pet, some inadvertently putting themselves at risk, as well as your pet. It can only take a second for a well meaning, but overly affectionate child to badly hurt, or even fatally injure a small pet. New pets should be isolated or confined to one room until they adjust to their new home, kittens should have a suitable litter tray to access, and puppies will need to be taken out to do their thing several times a day. Always make sure, if you already have a pet, that you introduce the new family member slowly.
Alternately, instead of a puppy or kitten, you could visit the RSPCA, or Lost Dogs Home , to find a more mature pet, vaccinated, de-sexed, and in need of a loving home to join. During the month of December, the Lost Dogs Home is offering half price adoptions.
With any pet, registration is important so that if someone should hand them to the nearest shelter, you are easily tracked down to collect your wayward bundle of joy.