Newsletter December 2020

Quote: “Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” -James Cromwell

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Give a Pet as a Gift

Are you thinking about giving a pet as a gift?

Well, it might be time to think again. As much as we love pets at Keystone, we also understand that they come with huge financial and emotional responsibilities.

Cats and dogs that are given as gifts are vastly more likely to end up in a shelter. There can be problems when the person receiving the pet as a gift (the recipient) isn’t involved in the process of choosing the pet. This means there is a whole host of issues that can arise. Before you buy a cat or dog as a gift, consider the following:

1. The Recipient Might Not Have the Money to Care for the Pet

Cats and dogs can cost a great deal of money over their lifetime. As well as paying for kitten and puppy vaccinations, the recipient will have to pay for microchipping services and other general veterinary treatment like training for dogs and dental care for cats. Other expenses include pet food, grooming and cleaning, toys, bedding and boarding costs.

2.The Recipient Might Not Have the Time or Energy to Care for the Pet

The time commitment required to train, exercise, and even feed a pet can be huge – especially when the pet is young. Unfortunately for many pets given as gifts, the task proves too big for the owners. This is why cats and dogs given as gifts are far more likely to suffer neglect, behavioral problems and end up in a shelter.

3.The Recipient Might Not Have Wanted That Kind of Pet

If the person who receives the pet would have preferred a different kind of pet, they could look on the animal unfavorably and treat it badly. Perhaps they wanted a kitten and received a puppy; then they might not put the time into training, walking, or even bonding with the pup.

4.It Sends the Message That Pets Are Disposable Playthings

Even if the recipient(s) did want the pet, there is a novelty factor in receiving a pet as a gift, and once it wears off the pet is at risk of being neglected. This is especially the case when the recipients are young children who don’t necessarily have the attention span or emotional commitment to properly care for a pet for its whole lifetime. Remember that pets are living creatures that experience emotions and anxieties just like us. Ensuring that they get to a happy home is therefore of the utmost importance for their wellbeing.

5.The Gift Might Not Be Age-Appropriate

It often happens that parents buy pets for young children, and grown-up children buy pets for elderly parents. In both of these instances, the recipient of the gift might not have the time, money, physical strength, attention span or emotional grit to continue looking after the pet throughout its lifetime. If the pet is beyond their capabilities, it’s very likely to end up in a shelter within the first two of years of its life.

Paws for Pictures with SANTA

On November 21^st we hosted a fundraiser for a local non-for-profit group, Paws AND Warriors. This group goes into animal shelters around Bradenton and Sarasota counties to adopt dogs that will then be trained as service dogs for our countries Veterans. So, they are saving two lives at once by helping to give a Veteran some freedom back, after all they have done for us.

Santa came and posed for pictures with all the furry pets in turn for a donation to the group. We had a good turnout for it being the first year in this location and we raised an amazing $722.00!!! We hope to make this an annual event and get an even larger turn out next year.

Holiday Closures to be aware of:

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the Hospital will be CLOSED

New Year’s Eve 8am to 11am and New Year’s Day CLOSED

Please be sure to check your medications and food
supplies. If you have any emergencies with your furry
family members, please proceed to Animal ER Cooper Creek
941-355-2884

We here at Keystone Animal Hospital would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Stay healthy, happy, and safe. We will see you all in the New Year.