Now that the holidays have come and gone, many are returning some unwanted gifts. One big holiday gifts is pets, but luckily our local animal shelters do everything possible to make sure gifted pets do not end up back in animal shelters.Â
The SPCA of Northern Nevada and the Nevada Humane Society do everything possible to make sure that pets are not returned, including interviews to make sure the pet is going in a home that best fits them and their needs. "We interview them, it is all about matchmaking. It is getting to know the people, the family the lifestyle, and the animal that is going to best fit that lifestyle and those expectations," says Jill Dobbs the Executive Director for the SPCA of Northern Nevada.Â
The SPCA of Northern Nevada says giving pets as gifts often allows new owners to feel more connected to pets, especially if it is given from a loved one. "It means something more, if you receive a gift from your grandmother or your father or mother, statistics show that it increase pets retention," explains Dobbs.
The Nevada Humane Society offers Pet Gift Certificates that allow someone to come in and pay for a certificate that covers an adoption fee, that way the individual can come down and choose the correct pet that is right for them.
The SPCA and Humane Society say one of the main reasons that a pet is returned is due to financial issues or the pet was simply not a right fit for the home. Luckily both shelters offer some assistance in whatever it might be. "We actually have a free animal help desk here with a variety of resources, things from financial aid, behavioral training, personality changing, introducing pets or kids inside the home," says Kimberly Wade, the Communications Director for Nevada Humane Society.
Both shelters say they help more than 10,000 pets find forever homes every year and their return rate is usually between 5-7%.Â
The ASPCA has also talked about this topic, here is the link for more details:Â https://www.aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/aspca-its-okay-give-pets-gifts-really
