Giving a pet as a gift for the holidays might sound like a good idea, but an expert from the Atmore PCI Animal Shelter said a giver should think twice before surprising a loved one with a four-legged friend.

Shelter Director Susanne Sirmon said there are several problems with simply picking up a pet as a Christmas gift.

“For one, you don’t know the family situation,” she said. “You don’t know if the family has the space, or the time for a new puppy. If mom and dad are working, do they have time to help train a puppy?”

Sirmon said the gift buyer could be jumping the gun, if these questions aren’t answered. She also suggested that a gift buyer check the municipal laws pertaining to dogs, or cats, before giving a pet as a gift.

Instead of putting a puppy or kitten under the tree, Sirmon suggests a gift certificate.

“If you’re an aunt or uncle and you have a niece or nephew craving a puppy, get a gift certificate for pet supplies first,” she said. “It’s very expensive to own a puppy, or kitten.”

Footing the bill for supplies would also allow the gift recipient to come to the shelter to pick out the dog or cat they want.

“You want to make the one-on-one connection that tells you what’s right for you,” she said.

If a gift certificate just won’t do, a gift giver can come into the shelter and pay for an adoption fee for a puppy or kitten and let the recipient come in and pick out their new pet.

“When it’s the right time for them, they can come in and pick one up,” Sirmon said. “We like for the people who are going to get the dog to come in.”

Another option for animal lovers, is to pay for the spaying or neutering of a pet for a friend or family member, who takes good care of their pet, but can’t really afford the procedure, Sirmon said.

“It would be helping the community and helping us,” she said. “It means fewer strays and less we have to pick up.”

This is a slow time for the shelter, Sirmon said, with numbers usually picking up in the spring. Right now, the shelter has 10 dogs and eight cats, whereas in the summer they see up to as many as 30 dogs.