A Home for the Holidays

By Kayla Chandler

More families adopt a pet during the winter holidays than at any other time of year, according to the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s website.

A well-known Christmas adoption myth is that pets given as holiday gifts would eventually end up back in a shelter. But Kathryn Newton, a Texas Tech student from Austin, Texas, does not subscribe to this belief.

From left to right: Evan Kaspar, Rodger & Kathryn Newton. (Photo courtesy of Newton)

Newton recently adopted a kitten from Haven Animal Shelter in Lubbock. She named her gray cat Rodger, after the Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodger.

“I adopted a cat because I think they are so cute and playful,” Newton said.

Newton said the upcoming holiday season played a role in her decision because she wanted to give a homeless cat the chance to be loved by a family.

“With it being especially close to the holidays, I believe he was a gift given to me that will keep giving for years on end,” Newton said.

Newton said Rodger’s background made becoming emotionally attached to him effortless.

“When he was born, his owners dumped him,” Newton said. “He was bottle-fed and not supposed to live, but he made it and is a healthy cat today.”

The difference between adopting a pet and purchasing one from a pet store is an important issue, said junior pre-med student Evan Kaspar.

Kaspar, a psychology major, said that because many people buy pets instead of adopting, thousands of stray animals are left wandering the streets and eventually face euthanasia due to shelter overpopulation.

About 7.6 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide each year, show estimates by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of those, approximately 2.7 million are euthanized.

Nearly 35 percent of dogs are adopted, 26 percent are returned to their owners and 31 percent are euthanized, according to the ASPCA. As for cats, estimates show 37 percent are adopted, 5 percent are returned to owners and 41 percent are euthanized.

Kaspar said rescuing animals is not only about saving an innocent animal’s life but also giving them hope that people are not all heartless.

“Adopting pets gives these strays and pets with no one to call their own a second chance,” Kaspar said. “You save a life when you adopt a pet.”