Don’t give a dog as a Christmas present. At least not as a spur of the moment gift. But if you are planning to get a dog anyway, why not? If you are aware that your “present” is alive and, with luck, will live many years, you will give an enormous gift to the dog as well. A home for the holidays – and forever.
Adopt
The St. Thomas Animal Shelter gives you a $75 spay/neuter rebate when you adopt an eligible pet (at least did so at time of writing). Wherever you live, if you can give a dog or cat a home, please do.
Adopting from a rescue group or pound rather than a pet store or off Kijiji or Craig’s List means you also are not supporting puppy mills or backyard breeders. Support “No-Kill” shelters, but adopt from any shelter or pound. Don’t let more pets be killed just because they couldn’t get adopted in 3 or 7 days.
Donate
If you can’t have a pet, give to an animal shelter or rescue group. Money is always welcome, or ask what is needed. They always have a wish list of goods they need most.
Sponsor/Volunteer
If you’d like a connection with a specific dog but can’t have one, sponsor a shelter dog. You give a monthly donation in the name of that dog and you’re welcome to spend time with “your” dog. If your shelter doesn’t have such a programme, you can do it unofficially. Shelters generally always welcome volunteers who will play with dogs, walk them and clean kennels. That’s a way you can spend time with your special dog and help all of them.
Foster
If you could have a dog but can’t commit for the long term, consider fostering. You’ll have to give him or her up when a permanent home is found, but you’ll have the fun of canine companionship until then. It’s work too. You have to properly socialize the dog, but you’ll learn as much as the dog does. If you’re a post-secondary student and wish you could have a Puppy (or Kitty) Room at home, talk to an animal shelter near you. Some are happy to have students foster dogs and cats.
Transport
If you like driving, volunteer with a group such as Open Arms Pound Rescue. They need people to drive animals to new homes or to shelters where there’s a better chance of finding homes. If you’re a pilot and love excuses to go flying, check out Pilots N Paws (USA) or talk to your buddies about setting up something similar in conjunction with a rescue group or shelter.
Everything above also applies to cats, horses and other domestic animals. There are rescue groups for all of them across the country. Give an animal somewhere a very happy holiday season. It will make you happy too.
From my St. Thomas Dog Blog, Dec. 10, 2012, minus information on adoption events specific to that time. The poster of the poor dog was made by Kelly Wilson of Vanier Street Cats in Ottawa. See her comment below for more information on their work and the dog in this photo.
Kelly Ann Wilson
13 Mar 2024The poster your using I made many years ago. My name is Kelly and the dog in that picture died while the shelter puller argued with the rescue trying to pull right in public…they walked that dog down the hall and killed him because the puller in the shelter who got paid, wanted to pull the puppies not the dog with mange…and I watched that dog die online and the fight and I made that poster because there’s a crack in the rescue system.
The dog was murdered in a rural shelter in the United States and with his death I learned how money is made from shelter pets in the United States.
That picture comes from my FB page you can track it back and that picture is an example of what is happening all over the world because people don’t understand.
I am the artist I made that picture you can find me on FB my name is Kelly Wilson I run Rescues in Need Ottawa, Vanier Street Cats and Paws for Patrick
Dorothy
14 Mar 2024Hi Kelly, thank you for giving the history of this picture. I have added a note to the post itself. I knew it was your photo, and liked your FB page because of it. Maybe you commented on my original dog blog post and somehow the comment got lost. Anyway, I hope it’s ok that I used it. It still makes me cry every time I look at it.
Adam Debicki
6 Mar 2013Hello, Is there any way to find out more about this poor dog “No one came – Now I’m gone”? Where and when this pic was taken and where this poor pup is now? I’ll take him! Seriously! Adam Henry Debicki : adebicki@msn.com Just be sure to include text about this dog in the subject line, Thank you!
Dorothy Stewart
6 Mar 2013Hi Adam, sorry but I don’t know anything about this photo. I saw it on Facebook and couldn’t find any info on the specific dog or shelter. It is such a sad picture, broke my heart too. If anyone does know, please write to Adam and/or me. Thanks.