Surprises are part of the holidays but it’s a bad idea to give a pet unexpectedly as animals are a major commitment, so says Wisconsin Humane Society spokeswoman Angela Speed. However, she says families interested in adopting a new pet may find the holidays are a good time as family members may be home for a long stretch.
She suggests anyone looking to buy a pet, take a look at homeless animals. “You’d be surprised at the variety you can find in shelters,” says Speed, adding on average of 25 percent of the animals are pure bred.
Her group operates Milwaukee and Ozaukee county shelters but people travel from outside the region. The facilities have adoption counselors to help find a good match for the prospective pet owners.