Pet for Christmas: Good or bad idea?

CINCINNATI - The idea of a puppy, kitten or full-size cat and dog sounds perfect for Christmas, but you might want to wait before you go adopt that surprise. 

Eric Johnson from the Animal Adoption Foundation says shelters want you to adopt animals, but that they want to make sure it is a successful adoption. 

Unfortunately, when a pet is given for Christmas they can end up being returned.  That's the last thing anybody wants is for an adoption to be treated like an unwanted gift because it is not the right size, color or type.   

There's a better way to give the gift of a new bundle of furry love and allow your recipient to make the perfect choice. 

Does that mean you have to wait till after Christmas to give them a gift?   No, instead this is where you can be creative. 

Try going out and purchasing all of the items you would need to welcome home your new addition. 

For a dog, this can be a leash, collar, chew toy, food and water dish or treats.  If it is for a cat, you can give a collar, play toy, food and water dish, cat treats or cat bed. 

Shelters and rescues will even let you purchase a gift certificate to use when you go to adopt your new addition.

Wrap up your adoption accessories and place it under the tree.  After Christmas you can go with your loved one to pick out the perfect pet instead of returning the wrong one.