It seems like the cutest, most thoughtful present you can think of - a bundle of pure joy wrapped up in fur and topped with a bright red Christmas bow peeking out from a basket. 

Yes, they are cute and cuddly. Yes, they bring instant smiles to peoples' faces. Yes, they could be life changing. But pets, particularly cats & dogs, aren't mere commodities. They are living and breathing beings who require a lot of love and care. 

Caring for pets is a huge responsibility. When you give someone a pet as a present, that means you are also gifting them with all the responsibilities that come with being a pet owner! And, to be completely honest, there are A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES. 

Pets, much like very young children, will need a lot of attention. They will depend on their caretakers for food, water, shelter, hygiene, health, exercise, companionship, training, and basically everything! 

The other important thing to remember is that: pets are a long-term commitment. Dogs live for an  average of 12-15 years and cats live for more than 15 years! 

Having a pet will most definitely change someone's life and impact their lifestyle.  When you give someone a pet as a present, think about whether they are ready to handle: RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT. 

If the answer is NO, then consider giving them a non-living gift instead. Maybe a stuffed toy or a pair of socks will be more suitable. 

That said, there are rare exceptions to this rule. With ample planning and research, you might actually discover that a pet may indeed be the perfect gift for someone in your life! 

Here are a few tips for giving pets as gifts. 

ASK FIRST. Surprises are nice, but not when it comes to giving a pet as a gift.  Ask them if they really want a pet , if they are ready for a pet and exactly what type of pet they need/want. This is to ensure that the recipient and pet will make a perfect match that will last for as long as the pet lives. 

MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY AND ABLE TO CARE FOR A PET. 
If a child isn't old enough to take care of a dog, don't give a pet.
If an elderly person cannot keep up with a cat, don't give a pet.
If a busy professional doesn't have time to care for a pet, don't give them one.
If someone doesn't have space for a pet, don't give them one.  
It's as simple as that. 

CONSIDER GIVING PETS ONLY TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY.  It's not a good idea to give someone else's kid a pet, even if they say they want one. Stick to your own kids, siblings or parents only. 

DON'T BE IMPULSIVE. Getting a pet is a big decision, and so is giving one as a gift. It requires a lot of thought and planning. Involve the whole family in this decision if you can.  Getting a pet isn't like shopping for shoes - there are no easy "returns" or "exchanges"  when it comes to getting a pet. 

 LET THEM PICK OUT THEIR OWN PET. It doesn't need to be some super top-secret surprise. If you've decided that a pet is indeed the perfect gift for someone, work with them to ensure they get the pet that they want! Head on over to the local shelter or adoption center together to pick out a pet that fits their needs/wants. This way, it will be a perfect match. 

Another alternative is to give them a gift certificate for the adoption fee and they can go pick out the pet themselves whenever they are ready to. Give them a gift basket filled with pet toys and treats along with the gift certificate to build up excitement! 

ADOPT, DON'T SHOP! There are so many pets in need of homes. Midland has more than enough pets that are just sitting at a shelter or adoption center waiting to be adopted. Most of the time, they are fighting for their lives. All they need is a home!  If you want to give a thoughtful, meaningful gift --  give them a rescue dog or cat! Adopt a pet, instead of buying one and save a precious life in the process.  

DONATE TO A RESCUE IN THEIR NAME. You don't have to get a pet-lover an actual pet as a gift. Consider giving a  tribute donation to a local rescue (Ahem... MHC) in their name!  

This holiday season, be more thoughtful when giving a pet as a present. Avoid the impulse to purchase the adorable little fur ball in the pet shop window because the kids think it's cute. Sadly, Christmas is usually the time of year when a lot of pets given as presents end up back in the shelter. When pets end up in the shelter, most of the time, they don't get to have a happy ending. 

Don't contribute to the homeless pet crisis this Christmas. Be fair to pets - they have feelings, too. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Fourth of July - Independence Day - it’s a day of celebration, BBQs, family, friends and, of course … F I R E W O R K S!   

As we gear up for 4th of July festivities, let’s not forget about our precious pets who may not understand what all the hoopla is about.  It's not like we can ask them about how they really feel. 

As far as pets are concerned, the festive explosions, bright flashes in the sky, and the thick, smokey air may just be one big terrifying nightmare (i.e. the A-PAW-CALYPSE!!!).

In fact, there is an influx of LOST/RUNAWAY pets who scare themselves silly during these celebrations and end up on the streets or at the shelters! So we urge you, as pet owners, to take precautions to keep your pet secure. 

As much as you love having your pet around you during every special occasion ever made, you may have to show some tough love for his/her own safety!  

SAFETY TIPS

• Make sure your pet has identification - ID tags or microchips will let people know how to contact you in case your pet manages to get away from you! Be sure to keep your listed contact information current.  
  • Don't have an ID Tag? You can still get ID tags engraved at PetSmart of Ace Hardware today or tomorrow (check holiday hours).  
  • If your pet is already microchipped, make sure your contact information is registered and up-to-date on the microchip's website! (Microchips are a permanent and reliable form of ID. For more information on microchipping your pet, www.midlandhumane.org/microchips)
• Keep your pets safe at home. Avoid bringing them over to someone else’s house for a party or to outdoor festivities. They’ll be more comfortable in familiar surroundings - not in a crowded, strange and noisy place, where they will be more prone to freaking out.  
• Do not lock your panicking pet in the car while you’re out enjoying the fireworks display either. It’s not the safe place you may think it is. They may suffer heat strokes or accidental injuries. It will also make for a very traumatic experience for your poor pet.   
• Keep your pets indoors, in a safe room or crate. Don’t leave them out in the yard where they can be tempted to hop/destroy the fence while they’re in full-on panic mode.
• Create noise to distract from fireworks - turn on the television or play some soothing music in the background. 
• You may need to calm your extremely anxious pet down by spending some time with them and speaking to them in a soothing voice until they're more "manageable" and no longer a danger to themselves. 
• Keep your pets away from the hot grill - they’ll surely be sniffing around for whatever is emitting that delicious aroma. Also, keep your pets away from matches, charcoal and lighter fluid.
• Keep your curious pets away from fireworks that they may accidentally ingest. The day after 4th of July, keep an eye out for any firework debris in your yard or surroundings that your pet may encounter and eat. 
• Avoid feeding your pet table scraps. Certain seemingly harmless human food can be toxic - such as onions, avocados, grapes, raisins, yeast, etc. If you’re not sure if something is safe for your pet, better avoid it. 
• Human products can be harmful to animals. Don’t spray your pet with insect repellent or sunscreen that is not made for animal use. Citronella products and insect coils can also be irritating to pets.
• You may be tempted to self-medicate your highly nervous pet - but PLEASE don’t use meds made for humans. Talk to your vet about proper medication to safely sedate your anxious pet. 

 
The best way for your pet to enjoy Fourth of July is by NOT joining in the festivities. Yep, they may have to sit this one out for their own good. 

Push that guilt aside because while you are enjoying the colorful lights and loud bangs, your pet/s will be safe and sound (albeit may or may not be suffering a panic attack) in the comforts of your home... and not lost in a dark alley somewhere. 

FOUND A LOST/RUNAWAY PET?  
Check for ID tags or get it scanned for a microchip.  MHC can help scan pets for microchips at our Adoption Center inside Midland's PetSmart.  

HOWEVER, our Adoption Center  WILL NOT be able to provide shelter to lost pets. 

Check out some helpful tips on what to do with Lost & Found Pets here. 

Aimee Neusch 
Aimee loves animals. She has 4 dogs and 5 cats at home. But that isn't enough -- she makes room for foster kitties who need temporary homes. As a pet foster, Aimee helps save lives by taking cats off the streets or out of the shelter (where they can be euthanized) until we can get them adopted out to good homes!  

Thank you for your kindness, Aimee! 

***

MHC Volunteer since:  About a year, but it's been wonderful!

Volunteer position/s?   
I foster cats, kittens and meowy families. 

Fun Facts:
I have worked for Ben E Keith Foods for 15 years as a district sales consultant.  
I have a son, Liam, who is nearly 3 (thinks he's 23)and keeps me and my husband on our toes!

My hobbies are playing in my flower garden, reading, and keeping my 2 and 4 legged kids entertained.  ​

​Got pets?
My family has 4 dogs and 5 cats. 

Why do you volunteer with MHC? What motivates you to stay involved?
I've always been an animal advocate and being able to help save lives and educate the public is very rewarding.

In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does? 
​I think the Coalition's ability to reach out and interact with the public and improve not only an animal's life, but a family dynamic through their pet is priceless.

Has volunteering with MHC had a positive impact on your life?  Tell us about a time/incident  that was especially meaningful for you while volunteering with MHC.  
Not only does this have a positive impact on me, but my family as well.
My personal cats are not fans of my son. But I took on a foster that at first I believed was feral. However, it turns out she is simply extremely afraid of other cats. She actually cuddles with my son and will sleep next to him on occasion. It's been very sweet to watch them bond.

If you could encourage someone else to volunteer with MHC, what would you tell them?
Nothing feels better than knowing you can make such an impact by working with this amazing group.