Give gift certificate for a pet

To the editor:

Giving live animals/pets as Christmas presents is an extremely bad idea. Animals come with big responsibilities, and the person receiving them might not be prepared to provide for the animal’s care.

Pets are a serious, long-term commitment and the decision to include a pet in a home should come after careful consideration. The same pets that are given as Christmas presents can end up being relinquished to animal shelters due to a person’s lack of time or financial resources.

Please consider the alternative of purchasing a gift certificate from the Flathead County Animal Shelter for the adoption of a pet and waiting until after the holiday commotion settles down to help your new pet adjust to his or her new home.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that up to 25 percent of dogs in local shelters are purebreds. So, if you have your heart “set” on a purebred puppy for your Christmas present, please contact the Flathead County Animal Shelter and/or the Humane Society of

Northwest Montana regarding the purebred dog you are interested in bringing home.

Adoption from animal shelters where many wonderful pets await loving, permanent homes, saves lives.

Cindie K. Jobe

Kila