The holiday wish of the North Bay Animal Service Center, whether today or every day, is the home of all the wonderful pets waiting for adoption at the Petaluma Animal Shelter. When we stop to think about the things that really matter in life, family and family are always the most important, where we feel safe, loved and needed.

This is what JL, Pearl, Frenchie, Eli and all their potential adopters in Shelter expect for this holiday. Seeing an empty shelter at the end of the year is a great gift for all of us, because all the animals are hidden in our new home!

We used to think that holidays were not the best time to bring pets into a new home, so adoption had to wait until after Christmas. But no more! Facts have proved that animals that enter the home before or after the holidays are as loved as at any other time, and the risk of being sent back is not greater than ever. The important thing is to prepare for the new family member! Prepare the house and toys, plan who will do the extra housework-the dog needs to walk frequently, the litter box will not clean on its own-of course, whose bed he or she sleeps in! If you are ready to accept this exciting new relationship, they are also ready!

When should they arrive at their new home? A gift from under the Christmas tree that day? Please, let us abandon the notion that Santa Claus brings live animals as gifts-he brings toys, not family! How terrible it is for a kitten. Bringing them home before the "important" day is much less stressful for pets. Then they can have fun and become part of the celebration; cats will like to jump from box to box, fight with ribbons, and play with all the new toys. Of course, they also like to climb trees, so make sure it is safe and reliable!

Adopting a pet is a personal act; you are choosing a family member who will accompany you for a long time, so please take the time to visit and make family decisions. We know that pets have unique personalities and needs; what about choosing an animal for others? Are you depriving them of the opportunity to choose the right pet to "talk" to them? You may think that your friends will want pets, or have time or space, but if you are wrong, pets will pay the price, and pets given as gifts are more likely to be returned. Although tempting, pets should not be given as gifts to people other than family members. Alternative gifts are to pay for your friend’s adoption or provide supplies for a new pet.

Now, if you are ready, the animals are ready for you! The cats and dogs have painted their fur coats, we tied bows around their necks, and they will bring food and toys to their new home. You can check our cute animals on the NBAS Facebook page or northbayanimalservices.org. Then, call the Petaluma Shelter at 707-762-6227 (NBAS) to make an appointment for the animals that will compete for your attention.

May you and your family, all bipedal and quadrupedal members, spend a very happy holiday, and may we carry the spirit of these days throughout the year.

North Bay Animal Services is a non-profit animal shelter that provides services to the Petaluma area and other areas.

Update: Please read and follow our comment policy: