At this time of year, parents begin to wonder what they can get their children for Christmas that would be a unique and wonderful gift. Many come up with the idea of a new pet for the family. What they don't realize is that Christmas time is probably one of the worst times of year to make such an important decision for your family and especially for an animal.

Thousands of cats, dogs and other animals are abandoned at shelters every year after Christmas once people realize the care and commitment necessary to look after these animals properly. The holiday season is a hectic time with guests, gifts to wraps, meals to prepare and a thousand and one other things that all seem to need doing. Bringing in a new puppy or kitten that's fully depend upon you for all its needs during such a busy time can lead people to feel overwhelmed with the animal.

Unfortunately, many are given up once the initial novelty for the children wears off.

A much better gift to give your children is to teach them compassion, respect and responsible pet ownership. It's a much easier transition for an animal when you bring it home once the Holiday season is over when everyone has more time to spend with the animal, helping it adjust to its new home. Adding a pet is an important decision because you're adding, in effect, a new family member.

The RSPCA suggests that if you would like to give your child the "gift" of an animal, then purchase books or videos of what you will be getting them to help prepare them in advance for pet ownership.

Another suggestion is to buy a stuffed animal with a note attached which promises them a new kitten or puppy in the New Year. It's much better to ease yourself and your children into this life-long commitment gradually, instead of setting a bad example by getting the animal hastily only for it to given away to a shelter because no one had time to train it properly.

There's also the animal's well being to consider when it's brought home at Christmas time. Puppies and kittens are delicate and tire easily. Being handed around constantly to children and guests can be frightening for a small animal that hasn't been exposed to so much attention. They need the care and attention from a primary caregiver in the house so they bond and feel secure.

With a puppy you must also start housetraining immediately, which is very time consuming in and of itself. With so many other things going on at Christmas time, finding extra time for all a new puppy will need may not be possible.

Another serious issue to consider is potential health risks to an animal, like ingesting ribbons or bows, tinsel on your tree, real or artificial pine needles that can perforate the oesophagus or stomach, poisonous plants like poinsettias, chicken bones from the table or an open box of chocolates. If your pet gets into these it could end up as an expensive trip to the veterinarian for you and your new family member.

If a pet is what your whole family has their heart set on, please wait until after the season is over, the guests are gone and the children have calmed down. Do your research, as a family, and find the most appropriate pet for your home and your lifestyle.

Your veterinarian, your local breed clubs and your local RSPCA and rescue groups, and of course the Internet, are all great resources when seeking information on what pet would be the best for you and your family.

Once you know what you're looking for, take your family to an area animal shelter and pick a pet that matches your needs from the many homeless animals that are in desperate need of a loving home.

Bringing in a new pet can be rewarding and fulfilling and adopting from a shelter or rescue also saves a homeless or abandoned animal.

If you know of friends or relatives thinking of getting a pet for Christmas please pass this article on to them for their consideration.