Oh My Dog!

obsessed with dogs

The 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

Welcome, friends, to the 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge. This is my eighth time participating, and if you’re not a blogger, these Q’s and A’s might give you a glimpse into what it’s like!

It seems 2018 packed a punch for many of us. I know I spent the year caught up in my own stuff, buried under the weight of shifting responsibilities and a rapidly-developing toddler, leaving one job and trying to create another, finding a sense of structure and routine and purpose… and, more often than not, coming up short. That’s life, though, isn’t it?

I’m always grateful to our friends at GoPetFriendly.com for organizing this hop each year because I appreciate the opportunity to reflect, to look ahead, and to learn from others working in this space. Even though I haven’t started drafting my replies to the questions yet, I apologize in advance for the wordiness that I’m sure is to come!

The 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge

Digging in to the 2019 Pet Blogger Challenge:

  1. For those who may be visiting your blog for the first time, how long have you been blogging and what is your main topic? If we’re just now meeting, hello! I’ve got a lot to catch you up on!I started my blog in 2009. My purpose then was to chronicle my two dogs, Emmett and Lucas, and their adventures, from Emmett’s therapy dog work to Lucas’ reactive dog training and everything in between. I came up with the tagline obsessed with dogs and just decided to chronicle anything dog-related in the context of my guys. Since then, we’ve moved thrice, dealt with four bouts of cancer (two Em, one Lucas, one me), added another pup Cooper and cats Newt and Ripley, fostered, trained, volunteered, worked, adopted (human) baby Violet who’s now the sweetest/funniest/mulish almost-two-year-old around, and struggled through the most difficult goodbyes of my life to both Emmett and Lucas and the subsequent grief. In that time, I’ve had periods of prolific work and periods of silence. Last year, 2018, was a period of silence. I experienced some dramatic transitions in my work life, all while mourning Em and trying to keep up with Violet. I needed that period of silence to recover my sense of purpose because, man, I had lost my vision and forgot my way. But, I feel like it’s coming back, though I’m trying to ease into it.
  2. What was your proudest blogging moment of 2018? Hands down: Being named the incoming Vice President of the Dog Writers Association of America. {{Here’s that story.}} Honestly, this wouldn’t be my life and livelihood if it weren’t for this blog. Starting this blog–really, adopting Emmett–changed the entire course of my life. {{And here’s that story.}} This tremendous honor feels so great because it’s a venerable organization that I was intimidated to join way-back-when, but it’s proof that finding your passion and working hard at it pays off!
  3. What was the biggest blogging challenge you faced in 2018, and how did/will you tackle it? The internet landscape shifted dramatically these last 10 years. Whether it’s an algorithm change or new FTC guidelines or a social channel altering how they weight content, well, some people live and die by that stuff. In working with tons and tons of bloggers over the past few years, I think one of the biggest errors I see bloggers make is forgetting that none of those things matter if your blog does its job: delivering amazing/useful/helpful/entertaining content that serves your audience. Sure, stuff like a keyword strategy and a Facebook marketing strategy matter, but only to the extent that they support, not drive, your blog. OK, all that said, my biggest challenge is getting those content marketing pieces in place! 🙂 Seriously, I’m not worried about social channels or video marketing or whatever even half as much as I worry about creating great content here. However, I avoided social media (except Instagram, tbh) most of 2018. I was burnt out, not of the content marketing or anything like that, but of the negativity and just the plain old bat-shit-crazy state of the world. So, I took a giant step back, and I avoided it almost entirely. I didn’t tackle it. In 2019, I plan to dive back in. I started a Facebook group that has an extremely strict positive-vibes-only rule. And the rest? That remains to be seen… maybe some degree of automation… some degree of outsourcing… I really don’t know yet.
  4. Which of your 2018 blog posts was your favorite and why? (Please include a link.) I stopped covering as many welfare topics in 2018 and 2017, and I have no good excuse other than… I was busy? Those posts require time? And research? And I was short on that? #noexcuse Animal welfare is a core value of mine, so I plan to do more of that moving forward. However, the two posts I did write that were specific to advocacy, I’m glad I wrote: a return to pit bull advocacy and pets as presents.
  5. Which of your 2018 posts was most popular with your audience? Why do you think it does so well? So, circling back to point 3, I’ll say that this isn’t my most popular post in terms of traffic, but it’s the most popular with my audience. {{This post.}} I’ve received the most emails about this one than about any other post in a long, long time. In fact, just recently I received a DM on Instagram asking for me to share the link on that platform, and the post was from last April. When I reread it now, I’m tempted to edit. To revise. I wrote it when I felt raw and open. Yes, it could be better written. But people connected to the emotion. Honestly? I think it’s done well, not necessarily just in terms of traffic, but because it’s something that everyone who’s lost a pet can relate to and really, truly feel. Any post where a reader walks away nodding and saying, “YES! Me too!” forges that personal connection we all really need. And when it’s a bond over our pets? All the better.
  6. Did you implement a new series, feature, or practice on your blog in 2018 that you’re enjoying? The only series I ran was a two-parter on pet blogging. {{Read part 1 and part 2.}} I’m not huge into series because I find them hard to sustain…
  7. As the social media landscape changes, how are you promoting your blog posts and connecting with new readers? So, per point 3, I haven’t really been promoting my posts. I think I have a handful of solid evergreen posts that drive a lot of organic search traffic, but this is what I need to work on with purpose and intention in 2019.
  8. Looking forward to 2019, if you accomplish only one thing through your blog, what do you hope it is? Last year, my friend and colleague Carol Bryant and I wrote a book about pet blogging. We’re currently pitching agents to get representation. I’ve wanted to write books since I wrote my first “novel” in a red, wide-ruled Mead notebook in third grade. I’m thrilled to have one done and ready to go out in the world. I started a second book that’s going back to my roots in narrative nonfiction, and a lot of the story arc comes directly from this blog. It’s in its infancy; I’m not ready to talk about the story yet, but I set myself a goal to write 500 words every morning so that in 100-200 days I’ll have a substantial first draft.
  9. What steps are you planning to take to ensure you reach your goal? Writing those words every single day no matter what. Yesterday it was a slog. Each word was like a pulled tooth. Today, they flew across the screen, and I doubled today’s word count in about a third of the time it took me yesterday. So, just plowing ahead like a mule. And now I’m accountable to YOU to do my writing each day since I’ve let the project out into the world! 🙂
  10. Now it’s your turn! How can we help? Is there an area where you could use some advice, or an aspect of your blog that you’d like input on? Share it here, and we’ll answer you in comments! I guess my main question for other bloggers is what tools do you use to streamline? I know everyone’s all about Tailwind, and I’ve had a Buffer account for a while that I just don’t love… How do you schedule/automate/remember to do all your social sharing and stuff? What’s worth investing in for you?

If you made it this far, you deserve a medal! Thank you for sticking with me. I love introspection and digging into questions like this, so a big thank you to Amy from GoPetFriendly.com for taking the time to put this together each year! I can’t wait to read everyone’s entries this weekend!

Take care, everyone!

Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Dogs

Do you have an itchy dog? Does your pup suffer from skin ickiness that varies by season? Then this one might be for you…

Quick, obvious disclaimer: I’m not a vet. I’m not a vet tech. I’m not anything useful. I’m just a writer. I tend to research obsessively and try only what I deem to be safe and worth a shot. This is one of those. Always consult with your vet before you try anything because this post is for informational purposes only.

Apple cider vinegar rinse for itchy dogs

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This post actually started with my hair. Since absolutely no one other than me cares about my hair, the gist: My hair started to shed heavily (read: fall out) last year, which is unusual for me. So, I tried a bunch of stuff and ended up using an apple cider vinegar (ACV from here on out) rinse that made a huge difference.

That experience made me wonder if it would help Coop and his seasonal itchiness and his winter-dry skin.

Short answer: Yep!

Longer answer: Here we go!

First, what is apple cider vinegar?

From HonestPaws.com: “Apple cider vinegar is quite similar to white vinegar. The major difference is ACV is made through the process of fermenting apples. The result of the fermentation process is a substance that is full of iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.”

(BTW, the FDA says those are there but in trace amounts, so like all things health-related, take it in measure.)

Its natural properties can do all sorts of things like control or prevent yeast overgrowth, mange, fleas, ticks, and just plain-old itchiness. People use it for all kinds of things in human health, and many of those uses translate to our pups.

It’s super-duper safe, containing only apples and water, but since it’s acidic it can sting if your pup has any open wounds. More on that in a minute.

If you google for ACV uses and dogs, you’ll find everything from adding it to food for digestive health, cleaning ears, flea and tick repellent, and so on. For our family, we only use it as a skin rinse. Those other indications? Well, we already have them under control, for one thing, and also I’m not a boat-rocker when it comes to Coop’s health.

I’ll also add that there’s not really any science to show these benefits or uses to be proven. These are essentially folk remedies, you know? ACV has been used for ages and ages (literally) but go into it knowing you likely won’t find a peer-reviewed journal article showing that ACV helps with, say, your dog’s itchy paws.

How to use apple cider vinegar for itchy dogs

When I searched for recipes for my hair/scalp treatment, the unanimous “dosing” seemed to be: start with a little and dilute it a ton, then slowly lower the dilution.

I’ve felt like the best ratio for us both has been 2 parts water to 1 part ACV. I don’t see myself adjusting that further.

You have two options for using ACV to help your dog’s itchy skin:

  1. Spritz and rub. After your dog’s regular shampoo or entirely on its own as a specific treatment, use a spray bottle (I love these if you want to shop local or these if you want to shop Amazon because they’re pretty, non-plastic, and can be clearly labeled) spritz your pup with the ACV mixture and the rub it down through his fur so you’re sure it gets onto his skin. For a short-haired pup like Coop, this takes no time at all. If you have a super furry, double-coat, etc., you might want to work in sections using your hand to shift the fur away from the skin so you’re confident the spray reaches the skin and doesn’t just get trapped in the coat. SUPER important note: If your dog has ANY open wounds, use this method. This stuff stings if it hits a cut or open wound, so use your spritz carefully to avoid your dog’s wound.
  2. Pour it on. This is basically an apple cider vinegar bath for your dog. This method definitely saves time, but it also consumes more product so I only have done this if either I’m in a hurry or if I’m trying to reach every nook and cranny. Mix up the ACV and water in a big jar. After your dog’s regular shampoo, simply pour it from head to tail in slow-motion so you get it to thoroughly cover your pup. I like to brush it through or rub it in with my hands, too, just to make sure we got thorough coverage.

ACV FTW!

It’s an instantly-cooling sensation, so this is really great for dogs with hot spots, too, if the hot spot isn’t open. Another option with the spray bottle is to keep it handy for when you notice your dog chewing or licking his feet. It helps soothe, and it also deters further chewing. In fact, I use a modified version of this as my DIY bitter apple spray, too, because you guys… bitter apple spray is literally made from this stuff. Save yourself some money and DIY your own!

Incidentally, if you’re a major DIYer, you can ferment your own ACV with apple cores. (Here’s a tutorial I found that looks helpful!) And, if you do, way to go! I’m super proud of you!

If that’s not you or you simply don’t have the time, I’m right there with you. I buy this kind, which is the absolute cheapest per ounce that I’ve found it for the organic unpasteurized. (Buying pasteurized is cheaper, but it kills the beneficial bacteria, so what’s the point?)

A couple cautions to be, you know, cautious

As with all things, chat with your vet, knowing full well there’s no real science to back this stuff up. Like most things, we trial-and-error. I worry about the acidity being too much for Coop’s sensitive belly, so I probably won’t ever add this to his food, though many, many, many people swear by it. His chronic ear infections seem controlled by our current protocol (knock on wood…), so I’d never use this to clean his ears, though hordes of people claim it’s an ear miracle.

You know your dog best. Do what’s best for you, your pup, and your budget. 

Have you tried apple cider vinegar for your dog? How did you use it, and how did it work? Or, if not, have you considered it? Have I left you with further questions? Please leave ’em in the comments so we can all share and learn from one another!

How Not To Adopt a Pet: Removing Barriers to Pet Adoption

Several years ago, a friend of mine wanted to adopt a specific breed. She reached out to a number of breed-specific rescues who all told her the same thing: Sorry, you don’t have a fenced-in yard.

So, what did she do? She contacted a reputable breeder in her state and purchased a pup.

Did I mention she’s a vet tech? And she can bring her dog to work? She’s single, owns her own townhouse that, no, doesn’t have a backyard, but in literally every regard would’ve been the perfect person to rescue any pup.

Thank goodness every rescue doesn’t have that policy. We adopted both Emmett and Lucas while living in a condo that, yes, we owned but had no direct access outdoors.

How Not to Adopt a Pet: Removing barriers to animal adoption via OhMyDogBlog.com

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In another instance, very recently, I was somehow added to a threaded discussion on Facebook about electric fences. The original poster was an adoption coordinator or counselor for a foster-based rescue I think. She asked whether or not rescues allowed dogs to be adopted into a home with an electric fence. The answer, of course, was a resounding no way. There were probably close to 50 comments before I left the thread, all stating that an electric fence precludes someone in every case because they’re dangerous, they let wild animals in, they rely on shock, etc., etc., etc.

Now, I’m not a fan myself for a host of reasons, but. I know many incredible pet parents who have electric fences for a variety of reasons. In one case, a vet who took phenomenal care of Emmett in his aging years has one in addition to a fence because her dog was an escape artist and she needed a second line of defense. And, at least here in the Midwest, HOAs stipulate all kinds of crazy things, including whether or not you can have a fence and what it looks like. If someone’s only option is an electric fence, and no shelter or rescue will adopt to them, it’s not stopping them from getting a dog! They can, like a cousin did, get a pup from a rehome situation posted on cragislist, or from a dog printed in the newspaper, or, like my friend did, from a breeder.

Anyone who wants a dog will get a dog.

So, why do rescues make it so hard to adopt a pet?

I’m talking specifically about barriers to adoption, which speaks to a much, much larger issue I touch on in a minute. I realize that, sure, rescues and shelters have to create criteria for adoptions. They need to conduct some research into the person wanting to adopt to make sure that their animals are going into a good home… but who defines good?

In my time volunteering in all sorts of rescues in a number of states, I’ve seen criteria that included:

  • must have a fenced-in yard
  • out-of-state adoptions can’t already have a pet in the home (from a breed-specific rescue that does transport)
  • no electric fences
  • must own your own home or provide a letter from you landlord stating you can have a pet
  • submit to a home visit
  • submit references
  • be home during the day

I’ve read news stories about fantastic potential adopters being denied for all sorts of reasons, like:

That list could go on, but the bottom line for each point is that they’re making assumptions about the kind of person you are based on subjective criteria, which prevents some good people from adopting animals. And, as I said, that doesn’t prevent them from getting animals because, let’s be honest, you can get a dog or cat from just about anywhere at anytime. We found fosters Molly and Petey dumped in the bayou. We found Newt, essentially, in a parking lot. We found Ripley through friends who had a pregnant cat give birth in their barn.

The other thing about that list is that those are barriers that apply to only a certain percentage of the population.

I’m going to insert a big pause here and jump topics to animal shelter volunteers.

Bear with me because it all comes full circle…

There’s been a ton of research into volunteerism across all kinds of industries, but there have been several recent publications surrounding volunteerism in animal shelters. One of the main questions, of course, is how to retain volunteers for the long haul. However, for the purposes of our discussion, I want to take a look at demographic data that seems consistent:

A national sample of 426 animal welfare volunteers was given modified versions of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007) annual “Volunteering in the United States” survey and of the VFI [Volunteer Functions Inventory]. Results suggest that the typical animal welfare volunteer is female, White, pet-owning, heterosexual, employed, childless, married or partnered, Democrat-leaning, between the ages of 40 and 59, has an income between $50,000 and $99,999, and is Protestant. (source)

OK.

So, here’s the thing: Animal rescue across the board is a middle class white lady thing. Statistically, of course, which doesn’t matter at the individual level where I know lots of animal welfare advocates and volunteers who are not middle class nor white nor ladies. But, by and large, that’s the demographic nationwide.

{{If you haven’t yet read Bronwen Dickey’s Pit Bull, please do. It covers this issue in greater depth than I can here with a lot of the nuance and history accounted for and analyzed. Plus, it’s just a fantastic book.}}

When you take a look at the list of pet adoption barriers, well, the reality is that generally speaking lots of them wouldn’t apply to middle class white families. That’s not to say I think animal welfare intentionally excludes people based on race or the demographic factors related to race (for which I highly, highly recommend digging into in this book. So good and informative, even though she doesn’t tackle animal welfare head-on). Of course it’s not the case for every single person and family in America, but it is statistically the case for many people and families in America.

As I said, I don’t think this is a purposeful problem but rather a set of arbitrary exclusions enacted by many rescues over time that then precluded animal adoptions from being a democratic process.

And, as I also said, those barriers to adoption will never prevent a person from acquiring an animal. They’ll just prevent more shelter animals from finding their way into loving homes that, sure, might not have a fence or might not have a food or vet budget determined by the rescue.

I’ve encountered versions of this discussion around two other topics: the cost of adoptions and the cost of pet care. I have a post on the cost of pet care coming soon, but in my post on the cost of adoptions and the corresponding discussion on Facebook, it was clear that many people do believe there should be an income requirement for pet adoptions. That’s galling to me because it’s basically saying that poor people shouldn’t adopt pets. Ugh. Same goes for those pet food discussions. If someone can’t afford to feed XYZ premium food, then can they truly afford to take care of the pet? so the argument goes. Double ugh.

Matching pets with a suitable home and family is vitally important.

Every shelter, rescue, foster, whatever must have guidelines, of course. A more flexible approach doesn’t mean no barriers whatsoever; it simply means taking into account more types of people and lives.

By the way, whether or not the reasons for denial are just, rescues are privately held organizations that can adopt to whomever they deem fit. However, I’ve recently left two Facebook groups centered around animal adoptions because the threads were so disheartening–not just the electric fence question, but the question about dog food, and the question about apartment dwellers, and the question about reference checks all ended with resounding cries of “exclude them!”

All I can think, though, is this:

A good home, even an imperfect one, is a better home than a shelter.

I’d love to know what you think. I know many of you work or volunteer in animal welfare in some capacity. I have a million tabs saved in my Chrome with anecdotes, policies, research, and so on, but I’d love to hear from those of you with boots on the ground, so to speak. Have you encountered any of these barriers to pet adoption? Do you have experience being prevented from adopting? Or does your volunteer experience track with this? Please share your experience in the comments so we can all learn more about this crazy important topic together!

ADDITIONAL READING:

Is your dog spoiled?

Cooper: “I guess it depends on your definition of ‘spoiled.’ Like, yesterday, Lady forgot to move my blanket into the sun spot on the couch in her office so I had to choose between napping in the shade but on the blanket or napping in the sun but on the blanket-less couch. Do you call that spoiled? I. think. not.”

At first, I thought I wanted to write a lighthearted take on spoiling our pups, especially around the holidays.

Is your dog spoiled?
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Like, does Cooper want a faux fur blanket from IKEA to toss in the sun-dappled spot on his couch? Would he really want that? Or is that just me spoiling him?

Want the blanket? He doesn’t know it exists!

Deserves the blanket? Well, that’s another story. (He totally does. We’re going there this weekend to do some holiday shopping, and that blanket is coming home for Coop!)

However, as I did some light googling around spoiled dogs thinking I’d find some good memes, I discovered something: People get super-duper up-in-arms about spoiled dogs! Like, kinda crazed and a smidge bonkers.

Some, I think, are bizzaro remnants from outdated training modes that say you’ll “spoil” your dog if you let him on the bed or allow him to eat dinner before you or let him ahead on leash, or that “indulged” dogs become bossy and manipulative, or whatever… I forget sometimes that many people still buy into these myths simply because the world in which I live and work puts so much stock in science-based training. I forget that there’s a whole other side of the dog world that allows people to truly, honestly, wholeheartedly believe that if a dog jumps onto the sofa, it’s because he’s trying to attain higher ground and, thus, the assertive, dominant position over you.

Coop’s like: “Naw. I just want the squishy, sun-dappled spot. I like a pillow under my noggin. And, hey, could you see to a faux fur throw up in here? Thanks, Lady.”

So, let’s redefine “spoiled,” shall we?

I like the idea of indulging my dog because, frankly, he deserves it, and it makes me happy to make him happy! My dog doesn’t know he’s spoiled, though he does know the types of behaviors that tend to get him extra rewards like cuddles and snacks. And he likes to perform them liberally! But, he doesn’t know that a faux fur throw or an after-dinner bully stick or cuddling under the covers at night or walking ahead of me or whatever is considered to ruin his character by some humans. He does know that those things increase his joy, and I know that his increased joy increases mine.

Yes, my dog is spoiled. But I don’t care. I love him that way. I love to spoil him. He deserves it. He puts up with a lot, and he’s always happy to do whatever I want to do when I want to do it. He’s always happy to just be with me, and I appreciate that more than words, more than faux fur throws, and more than after-dinner bully sticks (though he’d take the throw and sticks over the words any day).

Two questions for you today:

  1. What do you consider “spoiling” when it comes to dogs?
  2. Is your dog spoiled? 

I’d love to know in the comments whether or not you think your pup is spoiled, if there’s a such thing as a too-spoiled dog, and how do you know where the line is! 🙂

Pets for Christmas: Should you gift a dog or a cat?

I’ve been researching a post about adoption barriers, and I have a whole huge situation–with footnotes!–coming on that in the new year. For now, though, one thing I’ve encountered over and over again in my research: Limiting adoptions for the holidays throws up yet another adoption barrier not founded in data.

I am fully aware that this isn’t a popular opinion, so stick with me, guys, because I’m going to break it down.

Should you give a dog or cat as a Christmas gift_

I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines:

  • Pets Aren’t Presents
  • 5 Reasons Not to Give Pets as Christmas Gifts
  • Why You Should Avoid Giving Pets as Gifts

As so on. There’s even a massive online campaign from my least favorite, most hated animal group, PETA, that includes a social and blog push for “pets aren’t presents.”

Before we look at the numbers, let’s set three expectations:

First, we’re not talking about giving a puppy to, say, your mailman or your child’s classroom teacher. This isn’t a surprise for your Great Aunt Gladys (unless she explicitly told you all she wants is a kitten). This is a pet gift within your own household. And, honestly, the numbers bear this out anyways… people aren’t giving pets as presents to random people on your list anyways.

Second, every single one of the “don’t give pets as holiday gifts” articles I’ve read included the same theme: Giving a pet as a present brings an animal into an unprepared household. Since every  article includes this same warning–the recipient won’t be prepared–I’m wondering who they think gives the pet. I’m not sure if this is a scenario that assumes you give the pet as the gift and then wash your hands of it, but if we’re talking pets adopted into the same household (see the point above), it’s an expectation on the giver’s part to, you know, give the pet’s supplies along with the pet. Since more often than not this pets-as-presents debate focuses on parents giving their kids a pet for Christmas, well, the parents buy the supplies anyway.

Third, I’m focused solely on dogs and cats. Unfortunately, as with just about every animal welfare topic, there’s little reliable data on small animals, and I’m striving to avoid assumptions or anecdotes in favor of data.

OK, so we’re talking about a dog or cat given as a gift within the household and a responsible adult is involved in the decision. 

Seems simple enough, but somehow the popular opinion has decided people give pets willy-nilly to unsuspecting friends and family who know nothing about pets, who don’t have the budget for it, who haven’t pet-proofed their home. And then it turned into skyrocketing relinquishment numbers post-holiday (which the data shows that’s a far cry from the truth… more on that in a minute). Honestly, who’s giving dogs and cats out to everyone on their list?

All that aside, this happens so often in animal adoption: feelings seem to hold more weight than data. So, let’s look at the data.

My preference is always to find peer-reviewed literature, and there’s not a ton, but there’s this: “Should Dogs and Cats be Given as Gifts?” published in the open-access journal Animals in 2013. You can access the full study here, but here’s what the authors state in the intro (bold emphasis added by me):

Common arguments include statements such as: pet ownership shouldn’t be an impulse decision; the recipient should consent to pet ownership and be involved in the selection of a pet that fits his or her lifestyle; it’s a long-term commitment; pet ownership is costly; the holidays are a bad time to bring home a new animal. This message may be driven by concerns of inappropriate homing and return to the shelter. Often, organizations that support these arguments cite anecdotal evidence that returns of pets from unhappy gift receivers occurs frequently. However, the available data do not support these concerns.

They went on to clarify the purpose of their study:

While there is strong existing evidence to show that dogs and cats obtained as gifts are not at a higher risk of relinquishment than dogs and cats obtained in other ways, the myth that dogs and cats should not be given as gifts still persists.

They concluded:

The lack of associations between receiving a dog or cat as a gift and its impact on self-perceived love/attachment and whether or not respondents still had the dog or cat in the home is evidence supporting the notion that pets given as gifts are not at higher risk for abandonment. Further, denying potential adopters the right to obtain dogs and cats as gifts may unnecessarily impede the overarching goal of increasing the rate of live-releases of dogs and cats from our nations’ shelter system.

Ultimately, the outcomes for animals given as gifts are the same outcomes of the general pet population. 

As far as anecdotal evidence, ASPCA Pro published a case study of a shelter in Charleston, SC, that launched a “Home for the Holidays” program. In that case, the president of the shelter reported that 40 pets have been given as gifts through their program and none have been returned.

In the ASPCA’s official position statement on pets as gifts, they write:

Recently, the ASPCA conducted a survey to learn more about people who acquire pets as gifts. In the survey, 96% of the people who received pets as gifts thought it either increased or had no impact on their love or attachment to that pet. The vast majority of these pets are still in the home (86%). The survey also revealed no difference in attachment based on the gift being a surprise or known in advance.  Several studies conducted in the 1990’s and 2000 (Patronek, 1996, Scarlett, 1999 New, 1999, New 2000) found that pets acquired as gifts are less likely to be relinquished than pets acquired by the individual.

And, across the ocean, the conversation is changing on pet adoptions through the RSPCA. Here’s an article that examined data and conducted interviews and concluded, again, that pets can be wonderful gifts as long as it’s not a surprise to an unsuspecting friend or family member. Check out their relinquishment rates graph, too, which further shows that the data just doesn’t bear out on the supposed increase in post-holiday pet relinquishment in the UK.

Finally, in this piece from CBS News, the journalist juxtaposes a shelter’s reluctance to adopt pets during the holiday against the data and the HSUS’ position, as well, ultimately concluding that more progressive shelters are likely to allow or even encourage adoptions during the holidays.

BTW, one of the shelters quoted says they try to counsel against adopting pets as gifts but understand that the person can ultimately just leave and go buy a pet to gift… so, who wins in that scenario?

This myth seems to be simply another barrier to pet adoption. Common assumptions that aren’t backed by research prevent pets from finding their families throughout the entire year, but hopefully this myth can be dismantled so that more pups can spend Christmas morning in a home!

Bottom line:

  1. Don’t give a pet to someone not in your household. Duh.
  2. Make sure an adult is involved in the decision. Also, duh.
  3. Pets make wonderful gifts and giving an adoptable dog or cat a home for the holidays is absolutely lovely–IF numbers 1 and 2 are strictly followed!

So, what do you think? Have you heard that pets shouldn’t be given as gifts? Have you ever received a pet as a gift?