Christmas & Hanukkah Humane Holiday Pet Tips

Get humane holiday pet tips and hints for Christmas and Hanukkah. Author Diana L. Guerrero encourages humane activities during celebrations such as Hanukkah, and Christmas. Read up on her most recent humane holiday pet tips and hints.

Animal Expert Pet Tips For
Christmas & Hanukkah Celebrations

Hanukkah and Christmas can be happy events but the holidays can be disastrous and even downright deadly for pets. According to animal behaviorist Diana L. Guerrero, "The holidays are the worst time to bring animals into a home. Save the stress on the animal and family by following a few simple steps."

Guerrero is an animal behaviorist who writes columns on wild animal behavior, training, and pet etiquette. She is contributing editor to Resources for Crisis Management in Zoos and Other Animal Care Facilities and is the author of the holiday favorites, What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality: Inspiring Lessons of Wild and Tame Creatures, and Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers and Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures.

She continued, "Giving pets as presents is NOT a good idea. If you want to give someone a pet for a holiday, use the clever humane alternatives instead." Guerrero continued by saying that many unscrupulous people breed animals for sale during the holidays. "Backyard breeders are not concerned for the animals or their welfare. They often advertise in throw away papers or sell the cuddly critters by the side of the road or in parking lots. Buying animals for these sources is not an activity any animal professional recommends."

Guerrero's hints are to gather the pet necessities for the new critter. Next, wrap each gift separately and be sure to conclude the gift opening party with a picture of the ideal pet and/or a pet adoption certificate from an animal agency or similar entity. Your actions will be fun and conscientious-and will build up the excitement and anticipation of the new arrival.

Need some other ideas? You can get pet breed and training books (check out Guerrero's recommendations at www.arkanimals.com), pet beds or housing, dishes, brushes, accessories, toys, and certificates for grooming and other services like training and veterinary care.

"Make the effort a family affair and search for the pet together. Families grow closer through the researching and planning for a new household member. Those efforts will also keep the pet in the home and make the adaptation easier for everyone-not just the new pet. The big perk is that your humane actions sets a good example for kids and others within your influence."

If you already have a pet, Guerrero suggests that you make contributions to animal related charities in their honor. Families can research and select the agency, both wild and domestic animal rescue agencies could use the help.