Animals given as gifts over the holidays may head back to shelter

DELTA (NEWS 1130) – Two weeks into January and puppies received as gifts over the holidays could already be abandoned at local shelters.

Kelly Austin, the founder of PB & Chi Dog Rescue, says this time of year is when the reality of being a pet owner really hits. “The high is wearing off from the ‘Oh! I got a puppy and it’s so cute.'”

Austin adds it takes about seven to 10 days living with a pet for people to begin to understand the amount of work required, not to mention the financial commitment:

“The training, the socializing, the cost of all of the shots, the spay and neuter, the micro-chipping, everything that comes you know in the first month to a year afterwards is very time consuming and financially consuming,” explains Austin.

Austin’s rescue operation focuses on finding homes for pit bulls and Chihuahuas. To discourage gifting pets over the holidays, the agency didn’t adopt out any dogs between December 11th to January 1st.

She says the entire family needs to be on board when deciding to adopt a furry friend, because it is a 10 to 20 year commitment, at least.

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