DON’T FORGET THE FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

It’s easy to forget our small, furry, and four-legged friends during the busy Christmas season. After all, they keep us company on our bad days and they remind us that we are loved unconditionally.

Tammy Jourdanais of the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter issues this plea.

“When you’re out Christmas shopping this holiday season, don’t forget your pets. They enjoy receiving Christmas gifts, also,” said Jourdanais.

Maybe you’re not sure what to get your pet. Here are some suggestions on purrfect gifts for both felines and canines. Some of the suggestions may seem obvious while others may not.

Why not upgrade your pet’s food dishes, collars, or bedding. Everyone deserves a new item every once in awhile including your pet.

Collars and leashes wear out and Christmas time is an excellent opportunity to replace a damaged one. If you need to update some of your pet’s items, then here are Christmas gift ideas for your cats and dogs. A high-quality leash or collar is always an ideal gift for your cat or dog.

Water and food dishes crack and are hard to clean (especially for outdoor pets) after a while. You can buy water dishes with a reserve tank on the back of the dish (think of it as a water cooler for your pet.)

Travel dishes are available now in a collapsible silicone, so you can pack it flat.

Personalized Christmas gifts aren’t just for people. Your pets can have personalized gifts too. Food and water dishes are an easy personalized gift. A lot of thought goes into your pet’s name, and food or water dishes with a name personalization are sweet and practical Christmas pet gift.

Of course, one of the best gifts you can give yourself is a new member of the family (and we are not talking about human). When you choose a new pet at Christmas, the gift works in two ways. Not only are you giving something that will bring happiness and love into the home, you are giving those things to the pet as well.

Giving a living creature should not be done without due consideration. Jourdinais issues a warning about gifting pets.

“This time of year the shelte is overun with animals- dogs and cats and rabbits. We even have rabbits right now. We do ask, pets do not make the perfect gift for someone else. It’s hard to pick out a pet for someone else. You never know what’s going to fit into their home. We just ask that if you are looking for a pet for Christmas, that you come pick it out yourself. That way you can see each dog’s personality and can get to know them on an individual basis,” said Jourdanais.

For those who do want to “gift” a pet, the shelter does offer gift certificates which will allow the recipient to come to the shelter and choose the pet that will be right for them.