Holiday shopping season is upon us. If you don’t believe me, you should have been at the Walmart in North Utica Thursday at about 6 pm.  But while some may think surprising someone with a new furry friend for Christmas is a great idea; there’s a few things to keep in mind.

I stopped by the Humane Society on Horatio in North Utica, which is nearly full of companions waiting to be adopted. But before you stop by, make sure everyone in your family is committed to taking care of a new member of the family.

Shelter managers say it’s not a good idea to surprise someone with a new pet that they may not be prepared to take care of. Very often, those pets end up back in a shelter.

If you want to get a pet for the holidays, it really is a good time; since many shelters are full and adoptions tend to slow down in the winter months. But make sure the entire family is on board. It’s always a good idea for everyone who lives in the home to meet the animal before it’s adopted out.

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