Every child wants a puppy or a kitten with a big red bow around its neck for Christmas.
There is no denying that getting four legs of cuteness for Christmas is one of the best presents, but once the puppy breath fades away and the loose skin becomes tighter, the cute factor often goes too and sadly, in some cases, so does the love for the now fully grown dog.
SPCAs across the country go through a roller coaster ride during the Christmas holiday period, as many pets are adopted before Christmas, which is fantastic.
But then the boomerang effect kicks in and quite a few of the pets who thought they have found their forever home, are returned to the SPCA.
This is not only devastating for the SPCA workers, but also for the pets, as they are traumatised by the tug of war between the SPCA and their new home.
This to and fro often leads to anti-social behaviour and leaves psychological scars that take years to heal.
Another factor to consider is the cost implications of having a pet.
A puppy needs to be vaccinated at six, nine, twelve and fifteen weeks at about R300 a shot, followed by annual vaccinations, check-ups, flea and deworming treatments and all of this is just preventative and general health treatment.
The unexpected costs are the real killers.
For this reason, getting medical aid for your new family member is a highly recommended option.
For as little as R150 per month, your dog can have a good medical plan that will cover those unexpected accidents and will leave you at ease, knowing that your pet will get the medical attention he/she needs, without you having to take out a loan or sell your television.
If you have considered all of the above and feel prepared and ready to take on the responsibility of getting a new family member, the next thing to consider is where to get your pet from.
Breeder or SPCA?
Although there are a few fantastic breeders out there, a large percentage of breeders are far from reputable and just want to make a quick buck on the side.
“Breeders often proudly advertise that their puppies have been vaccinated, but it is important to know that only vaccinations given by qualified veterinarians are valid,” said Dr Kevin Stevens from the Ballito Veterinary Hospital.
“People want a breed, because they like the look or because of it a trending breed, but people are often not informed about the breed and therefore make the wrong choice,” explained Dr Stevens.
For this reason, it is important to thoroughly research the breeds and make sure you are getting a breed that suits your lifestyle.
Crossbreeds are generally more hardy dogs and often do not suffer from health problems related to bad breeding.
Whether you decide to get a pure breed or a crossbreed, dog or cat, remember that your pets only have you and rely on you to give them a good life.
