FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM DECEMBER 20, 2018 • HOLIDAY GUIDE • THE QUEENS COURIER 67
holiday guide
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Bring a pet home for the holidays
the holiday season - and the lead-up to
it - is a popular time to bring home a new
puppy or kitten.
Consider these tips from the pet experts
at PetSmart Charities to help make your
new pet’s adjustment to its forever home
merry and bright.
Know that pet parenting is a lifetime
commitment. Th at oh-so-sweet puppy or
kitten stage only lasts so long, so be sure
that you’re prepared to give a lifetime of
loving care. Nurturing the bond, you create
during the early months can create a
foundation for lifelong companionship.
Consider adoption fi rst. Th ere are literally
thousands of animals of all breeds
and ages looking for loving homes.
Consider adopting a pet that needs a
home from a local shelter or adoption
event.
“When you consider an option like
adoption, you can make sure one less
dog or cat is spending the holiday season
in a shelter while also providing the gift
of unconditional love to a furry friend
in need,” said David Haworth, DVM,
Ph.D., president of PetSmart Charities,
which helps fi nd forever homes and families
for more than 500,000 shelter pets
each year. “As a way to make adoption
more accessible, we work with local
adoption partners to host regular adoption
events at the Every Day Adoption
Centers in nearly every PetSmart store
nationwide.”
Select an appropriate pet. Integrating a
pet into your household, especially for a
fi rst-time pet owner, can take some work.
It’s important to consider factors like
how oft en you travel, whether your work
schedule will allow a visit home during
the day for a potty-training puppy and if
you’re willing to provide necessary care,
such as daily brushing for a long-haired
animal. Also consider whether you truly
want a puppy or a kitten; an adult pet
off ers numerous benefi ts, such as potentially
being house-trained already and
more resilient for play with small kids.
Be realistic about the big reveal.
Picturesque as it may be, the classic
image of a puppy or kitten making a surprise
leap from a box under the tree isn’t
always as simple as it may appear, especially
if kids are involved. Start by setting
expectations with children so they
don’t startle their new pet with a burst of
excitement that can be scary for a small
animal. Rather than putting the pet in
a box, for an easier solution consider
bringing the pet home before the excitement
of the big day, and instead wrapping
up supplies like a leash and feeding
bowl to place under the tree and putting
a festive collar on the new pet.
Prepare for pet parenting. Th e sweet
kisses and cuddles are fun, but a new pet
requires some preparation. Stock up on
items like age-appropriate food and toys.
Look into training classes and fi nd a veterinarian
you trust for regular checkups.
Also take time to pet-proof your home,
removing items that may pose a health
threat or create temptations for undesirable
behaviors.
Find more advice on introducing a new
pet to your home this holiday season and
locate an Every Day Adoption Center
near you at petsmartcharities.org.
Courtesy Family Features