INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — According to The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, the holidays often involve lots of surprises. But a pet as a present shouldn’t be one of them.
“Pets given as surprise gifts often end up making both the animal and owner unhappy,” says Alisha Zaleuke, Adoption Supervisor for The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
According to Zaleuke, choosing a pet shouldn’t be a surprise or an impulse decision. A six-year Humane Society veteran, Zaleuke explains that animals acquired as surprises or on a whim may be relinquished to the shelter. Some wind up spending their lives ignored in the backyard, abandoned or given away.
A more humane gift option is purchasing an adoption certificate at the Humane Society.
“A Humane Society certificate allows the prospective adopter to select his or her own pet,” says Zaleuke. “Since pets can be a 15-20 year commitment, the choice should be made carefully.”
Zaleuke also suggests waiting until after the holiday hustle and bustle so both the new pet and his or her family have time to get to get acquainted.
Other gift suggestions include purchasing pet supplies and toys at the shelter’s All for Paws shop at the Indian River Mall, visiting The Humane Society’s “All for Paws” pet supply shop in the Adoption and Education Center, finding interesting items at the shelter’s Vero Beach and Sebastian Thrift Shops or making a donation to the shelter in honor a friend or family member.
Zaleuke reveals that each option directly helps the animals of Indian River County.
“The holidays are a time to show compassion,” Zaleuke says. “Gifts with a humane theme extend this sentiment to both our two and four-legged friends.”
The Humane Society’s All for Paws Indian River Mall Shop is located at 6200 20th St., Vero Beach. The Humane Society’s store is inside the shelter’s Adoption and Education building located at 6230 77th St., Vero Beach.
The Humane Society’s Vero Beach Thrift Shop is located at 4445 20th Street, Vero Beach while the Sebastian Thrift Shop can be found at 441 County Road 512 in Sebastian.
