The holidays can be a difficult time for many people, especially seniors without family nearby. There is a video making the rounds on social media that depicts an elderly man who can’t get his family to come spend time with him during the holidays so he fakes his death and then surprises his family with a holiday dinner at his home where he suddenly appears to their delight.
I am not suggesting anything near this drastic to help cope with the holiday blues, but how about sharing your holiday with a shelter animal? Many shelters, including Halifax Humane Society, offer a Home for the Holidays program which allows potential adopters to take an animal home for the holidays. Some people might adopt the animal after a week or two, whereas others will return the pet after the holidays. In either scenario, it’s a win/win for the pet and the senior. Even if the senior decides to return the pet after the holidays, the pet was able to spend some quality time with the senior for an extended period of time and thus was out of the shelter, and the senior had much needed company during the holiday season which can at times be depressing and lonely. Lastly, the shelter can open space for new animals arriving each day.
Now, I know what you are thinking. “If I take a cat home for four to six weeks, I’m going to fall in love with the cat and now I’m stuck adopting it.” To be perfectly honest, we hope that you will adopt the animal, but you are not obligated to keep the animal at any time. There is no cost to take the animal home except for providing food and, in the case of a cat, litter. We can provide a used litter box. If the animal becomes ill or injured, you would simply bring the animal back to HHS.
Another question you may ask yourself is, “If I do adopt the dog or cat, who will care for it should something happen to me or if I were to pass unexpectedly?” Most seniors deal with life issues in advance and prepare wills, estate plans, and designate certain people to be responsible for certain areas of their estate, including their pets. We have been involved with several pets from estates that needed to be rehomed and we have been successful in every case to get the pet rehomed to a loving family. Don’t talk yourself out of adopting because of what might happen or because you are afraid of abandoning a pet. Any time you give a pet is better than no time at all.
As mentioned, many rescues and shelters offer Home for the Holiday type programs including HHS. Come to the shelter to visit or see the available animals online at halifaxhumanesociety.org
Maybe this year, you can share your holiday with a loving and devoted new best friend, if only for a month. Remember, adopt don’t shop.
Barry KuKes is the Community Outreach Director for the Halifax Humane Society.
