A puppy? For Christmas?

A PUPPY? FOR CHRISTMAS?

Opening up a big shiny box on Christmas day and watching a puppy or kitten jump out may seem like a dream for some people, but when Fido gets lose and chokes on some tinsel the holidays can get stressful, fast.

Three Windsorites who know a lot about placing pets in new homes said holidays are not always the best time to get a pet for someone.

Cory Drouillard works at his family-run business Corbrets Pets on Walker road. Corbrets Pets has been in business since 1970 and is the only store in the city of Windsor which sells puppies. The store does not offer any special discounts on the puppies just because it’s the holidays and refers people looking for cats or kittens to an adoption agency. Drouillard said the puppies sold at Corbrets come from individual breeders and their safety and care is his priority.

“We don’t believe in pushing anything, if you want to by a dog it’s the same as bringing another child into the family. The decision requires a significant amount of thought and planning,” said Drouillard.

Corbrets does not sell kittens during the holidays or anytime of the year and will refer a customer to one of the local cat shelters instead.

“There are so many cats that already need homes in this city and as well many great shelters in Windsor.” said Drouillard. “We usually refer someone who comes in the store asking for a kitten to try TLC Animal Aid, the Humane Society, Jazzpurr or Earn Your Wings.”

Earn Your Wings is run by Mike Gabor, a retired local factory worker, who took a stand against feral cats and opened his own kitten and cat shelter helping thousands of cats to find loving homes.

Roxie’s Legacy Animal Rescue founded by Brooke Dumouchelle in September of 2011 is comprised of a small group of volunteers who are in Windsor and Guelph.

Nicole St-Onge, owner and photographer at NCS Pet Photography, is no stranger to pampering pets for the holidays. She said adopting a pet is can be a great addition to any family but it requires a lot of thought. St-Onge started volunteering with Roxie’s Legacy in 2011, first offering to take adoption photos of their rescues intakes, and later becoming a foster mom to six animals.

“The holiday season can be very overwhelming for a new pet who is adjusting to life in your home. With a busy family schedule at this time a year, consider how much time you will really have to spend with your new best friend before bringing him or her home,” said St-Onge. “As well, the holiday season poses many dangers to a new curious pet such as the toxic leaves of a poinsettia plant, or the tinsel on the tree which your new pet may accidentally ingest.”

John Dunn also volunteers for Roxie’s Legacy and agrees around the holidays people think its a good idea to buy a pet for a loved one as a gift, but if the person isn’t ready for a pet the animal can be neglected.

“Neglect due to visiting relatives or traveling, improper diet, lack of veterinary care, lack of shelter and even poor grooming can cause health problems and even premature death,” said Dunn.

St-Onge found her dog Izzy, who is five an a half months old, through Roxie’s Legacy. She said she started off fostering Izzy but fell in love with her and ended up keeping her.

“This sweet little girl was brought to Central Animal Hospital as her pervious family was moving and did not have time for her. Central Animal Hospital called Roxie’s Legacy Animal Rescue, and Izzy became our newest foster puppy,” said St-Onge. “We were so delighted to foster and help this playful little girl, and in the process we fell head over paws in love with her! We became what is jokingly known as a ‘foster failure,’ someone who fosters a dog and loves him or her so much that they keep them.”

Drouillard, St-Onge and Dunn all say to always remember to make sure your loved one is ready to take on the responsibility of a new pet before thinking of getting one as a holiday present.

“Roxie’s Legacy does not support and will not adopt out to families who just want a puppy for Christmas,” said Dunn. “We do support and work with families who have been considering a dog for their family and believe this time of year would be a good time for them.”

Dunn said Roxie’s Legacy would like to take in as many dogs as foster space allows from shelters and pounds over the next few weeks and hold an adopt-a-thon at the end of November. Their goal is to save dogs from euthanasia and get them into loving homes. Dunn said this a ‘high demand’ time of year and dogs and puppies are going to be purchased from backyard breeders, pet stores and puppy mills often unknowingly by the buyer.

“We believe that with every healthy, spayed and neutered animal that we can get into an appropriate home will not only save their life, but will also reduce the sales of puppy mills and backyard breeders this popular time of year,” said Dunn.

Roxie’s Legacy will have dogs, puppies, cats and kittens up for adoption. Animals are all fully vetted. They will be having their 1st annual Home for the Holidays Adopt-A-Thon Nov. 24-25 at the Pet Valu locations in St. Clair Beach and Riverside from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.