WEST OLIVE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – What child doesn’t ask for a puppy for Christmas. Pet adoption rises during the holidays and Harbor Humane Society provides adoption counseling to assure pet adoption is successful.
Megan Brunsting is the Shelter Manager at Harbor Humane Society and says research shows that pets given as gifts are not loved any less or not kept in the home any less as a pet that was chosen to be adopted. Staff counsels those who adopt dogs and cats all year long, not just during the holidays. Staff has many conversations with those planning to adopt and cover things such as proper pet ownership, what’s required when you get a puppy, training, and more.
“We want them to feel fully prepared comfortable not only to walk out the door knowing what they are doing and what’s appropriate, but also using us as a resource in the future if they are having issues. A big thing for us is just having conversations with people judgement free so that they can feel comfortable coming to us and we can also feel comfortable with them taking a pet and really being committed to that pet. Not just getting it for fun for Christmas.”
Brunsting says they have seen return numbers go down due to the program. Harbor Humane Society also has a delivery service called Santa Paws Delivery Service. The service is available December 21-23 for a $35 fee. Santa’s Helpers dress as Elves to deliver an adopted pet within a delivery range of 20 miles.
Harbor Humane Society is located at 14345 Bagley in West Olive.
