Serving Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg and all of Kewaunee County
KEWAUNEE COUNTY – As people across the nation finish their holiday gift buying, some are wondering if the holidays are a good time to bring home a new furry family member. The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is happy to report that for many people, the holiday season can be a great time to adopt.
“There is a long-standing belief that pets given as gifts, particularly around the holidays, often end up in shelters several weeks later,” said Corey Viars, media specialist at the WHS Green Bay Campus. “But the data shows us that is just not true. In fact, people are surprised to learn that animals given as gifts are actually more likely to be kept in their new homes.”
WHS has seen great success for many families adopting at the holidays and does not see a large spike in returns following the gift giving season. Their adoption process helps ensure that adopters are prepared for their new arrival. They also remain a resource to support adopters with training and any other issues they may have.
Plus, by the time they pick up their new pet, most adopters have already been considering taking in an animal for a long time. In a survey of 10,000 WHS adopters, only 3% of clients expressed that they have been considering a new pet for less than a week, and more than 75% have been considering a pet for six months or longer.
That being said, WHS still cautions potential holiday adopters if travel and vacation time would keep them away from their new family member. WHS would also never recommend gifting an animal to anyone who is not seeking a pet. They also point out that gift certificates are also popular as gifts, and can be used not only for adoption fees, but also merchandise sold in their stores.
Visit the Door County Wisconsin Humane Society campus at 3475 Park Dr., Sturgeon Bay. The shelter will be closed on Christmas Day, but will operate on Christmas Eve with regular hours. They will also be open with regular hours on New Year’s Eve, but will be closed on New Year’s Day. Call 920-746-1111 for more information.
To see animals available for adoption, make a donation or learn how you can get involved, visit www.wihumane.org.
The Wisconsin Humane Society was founded in 1879 and is the oldest and largest shelter in Wisconsin, annually serving more than 40,000 animals and the people who love them. WHS is an independent nonprofit and receives no general government funding and is not part of any national umbrella group.
WHS operates shelters in Door, Brown, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties, as well as a spay/neuter clinic in West Allis. The organization offers stray animal holding, adoption services, youth programs, veterinary services, pet food pantries, retail stores, wildlife rehabilitation, training classes and more. WHS is ranked four stars by Charity Navigator, the premier independent charity watchdog group. To learn more, visit www.wihumane.org.
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