What to know before you gift someone a pet
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Pets could be a great gifts for the holidays if you know someone looking for a new furry friend. However, local animal shelters say there’s a few things to keep in mind before you surprise someone with a new companion or if you’re the one welcoming them to your family.
- Try to include the person you’re gifting a pet in the entire selection process.
- Don’t just go for looks, think about the temperament of the pet and the lifestyle you’d like to have before brining them into your home.
- Make sure to have fresh food and water for the pet ready when you get home.
- Keep your new pet in one specific area in the home for the first few days so they can adjust to the sights and smells of the home, then slowly introduce them to other rooms after.
Jack Hagerman, the associate executive director at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, says that it often takes pets three days to decompress in your home, three weeks to get used to a routine, and three months to feel like it’s home.
“When you bring a pet home for the first time, it's going to take them a minute to truly acclimate and get used to being a part of your family,” Hagerman says.
