Animal shelters in Wilmington, N.C., are urging residents not to give pets as surprise Christmas gifts because the holiday rush often leads to more animals leaving shelters shortly afterward. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control is advising people to think carefully before adopting during the holidays and to involve household members in the decision. The shelter says the season’s generosity frequently translates into a spike in adoptions that are later reversed.

Stephen Watson, a shelter supervisor with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control, said emotions run high around the holidays and suggested people pause before making a permanent decision. “If anyone is given too high of emotion during the holidays, I suggest they wait until after the rush of the holiday season and high emotions to consider prayerfully getting an animal,” he said. Common reasons pets are returned to shelters include behavioral issues, unexpected costs, and incompatibility with household pets or family members, demonstrating the importance of careful consideration before adoption.

Watson described the shelter’s approach to matching animals with homes, saying his team carefully evaluates prospective adopters to ensure a good fit. “My staff takes their time to make sure that we fit the animal with the citizen’s lifestyle,” he said. To prepare for adopting a pet, individuals are encouraged to research their lifestyle match, dog-proof their homes, and ensure existing pets are spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccines, which can help in fostering a more suitable environment for a new pet.

He illustrated the point with an example about energy levels and suitability: “If I try to adopt a Malinois, I’m an obvious couch potato, so it will not suit my lifestyle. It will get bored and get into all sorts of trouble by me not being able to exercise it and keep it engaged enough,” Watson said. During the holiday season, shelters see dog adoption rates peak, reflecting significant interest, but also warn of the notable return rates for pets adopted at this time.

The advisory builds on a common challenge for shelters during the holiday season: while “Christmas brings out the spirit of generosity,” it can also produce adoptions that do not last. Shelter staff emphasize that assessing daily routines, energy levels and long-term commitment helps reduce returns and improves outcomes for animals. In fact, return rates for pets adopted during the holiday season can be significantly higher due to impulsively made decisions that don’t consider the long-term responsibilities of pet ownership.

Shelters and animal welfare groups have materials and procedures addressing adoption readiness and post-adoption support; adoption processes and screening are detailed by organizations such as SPCA Westchester. Researchers and shelter networks have also examined seasonal adoption patterns and trends, which shelters sometimes consult when planning outreach and intake strategies; an overview of holiday adoption trends is available from Shelter Animals Count.

Watson said staff at the county shelter work to place animals in homes where routines, space and activity levels line up with each pet’s needs. That process can include questionnaires, meet-and-greets, and discussions about long-term care, he said, as part of the effort to reduce the number of animals returned after brief stints in new homes. Individuals are also advised to avoid giving pets as surprise gifts to ensure that potential adopters are fully aware and prepared for the commitment an animal requires.

Local shelters are asking would-be adopters to consider timing as well as lifestyle fit when thinking about a new pet. The shelter’s guidance is aimed at ensuring that gifts meant to bring joy do not become short-lived transitions back into shelter care. For people considering adoption over the holidays, shelter staff encourage thoughtful planning and involvement of all household members before bringing an animal home.

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