Happy Holidays to you and all the wonderful furry companions around the word.
34th street isn’t the only place where Christmas miracles can happen Holiday magic can occur at local animal shelters around the country.
According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million animals are surrendered to shelters every year – 3.1 million cats and 3.2 million dogs. These are approximate numbers – there are some rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals. It’s sad to think about, especially during the holidays. But consider this – wouldn’t it be nice to improve the holiday season for these furry friends? Shouldn’t there be a “ho-ho-ho” for them too?
Yes-and we can help some humans during the Holiday Season too!
Unfortunately, some humans are also locked up during the holidays (and the rest of the year), because of mental distress. They are lonely and depressed and the holidays can make things worse.
But Santa has a little secret – Emotional Support Animals! They can liven up the Season for almost anyone.
The season should bring joy and reconnection with loved ones. And we want to help.
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
An emotional support animal, or an ESA, is not a pet. An ESA is an animal that brings comfort and stability to its owner and companion. Luckily, with ESAs, individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, and other stresses can potentially improve their quality of life this holiday season. They can also receive recognition and housing considerations with an ESA letter.
And one of the best places to get an ESA is from a shelter. There are many shelters and non-profit organizations that are dedicated to rescuing and locating animals. An example of one of those great organizations is All About Cats in Georgia.
Find ESAs in Local Shelters
Many of the dogs, cats and even rabbits found in the local shelters can make wonderful ESAs. Shelters usually have a large selection of animals to choose from. So most people in search of an ESA should be able to find their best friend companion animal. And the animal should be compatible with the lifestyle, personality and living conditions of the owner.
There are some details that are important to know for compatibility purposes. Is the animal shy? Do they get along with other animals or kids? How energetic is the animal? Many shelters and rescues offer plenty of info on each available animal’s personality. And they often list this information on their website.
There is another benefit of adopting an ESA from a shelter. The adopted animal has a better life and the gratitude is genuine. Shelter animals tend to exude happiness, joy, and loyalty when they realize they have found their forever home.
Depressed? Help an Animal and Feel Better
Often, when someone is depressed or anxious they feel better by helping another who is not feeling so happy either. Most of the animals who live in the shelters in the US are not having the best time. Many shelters are so overrun with animals that they can’t provide the resources that these animals deserve.
The staff members that work in these establishments are amazing people. They have dedicated themselves to making the lives of these animals as comfortable and joyous as possible. But the cold truth is that these animals sleep alone in a cement cage, with no family surrounding them. Potential adopters have the opportunity to fix this.
Healthy Synergy Through the Ages
Domesticated dogs and cats have been bred throughout history to form deep emotional connections and attachments to human beings and families, according to the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Animals’ psychological and physical well-being is often directly tied to living in a loving home and deep bonding.
Human beings are also very social creatures and countless studies have shown the benefits that having a pet can have on a person’s overall health and well-being. A study published by the Journal of Holistic Nursing found that animals have the potential to improve one’s anxiety, attention, and depression. Astonishingly, they can also assist in health promotion and disease prevention.
These days, many people are suffering from isolation due to the pandemic, living far away from their families, and even from working remotely. At the very least, most animals have unique personalities and quirks that can turn even the dullest moments into ones of humor and joy.
Which Animal Will Be Your Best ESA?
For many people, there is likely a particular species and breed of animal best suited for their personality and lifestyle. There are even websites online that have created surveys to find the right match of breed of dogs or cats for people. A survey from DogTime is one of the many examples of surveys created for someone who is looking for the right dog breed, or a mix of breeds. The Cat Breeds website has a similar survey for those looking to adopt a cat. But it’s important to note that most cats found in shelters do not have specific breeds.
Anyone looking to add an animal to their household, either as an ESA or a companion animal, should do thorough research on which breed will suit them best. For the animal, this is hopefully going to be a lifetime commitment. It is best for the owner and animal not to go into such a commitment under-prepared and uninformed. Even if breed information is unavailable, an animal’s unique personality is important to consider when making an adoption.
Don’t Gift an Animal
It is not usually a good idea to gift an animal to another. (But you can gift an ESA letter) Even if someone feels like they really know the person and what they would be ultimately looking for in a companion animal, it really is a much safer option for a person to make this decision for themselves.
In fact, a major contributing factor to animals ending up in shelters is someone receiving an animal as a present from a well-intentioned, but uninformed giver during the holiday season. As a result after the holidays, there are often many puppies and kittens to choose from, and many of them are purebreds.
On the other hand, a new ESA owner will appreciate the gift of toys and paraphernalia for their companion.
How Old Should an ESA Be?
While some people may prefer adopting a young animal, adult animals have the potential to make wonderful ESAs, and may especially benefit someone who is suffering from anxiety because of their more calm demeanor. Most adult animals are already potty trained, aren’t teething, and overall require less training.
Costs Benefits for ESAs from Shelters
Another benefit of adopting from a shelter or rescue is the reduced cost it presents initially. Many shelters preemptively spay or neuter their animals, and give them all of their required vaccinations. Many Human Society locations will not put an animal up for adoption who has not been spayed or neutered.
Another cost that most homeless animal shelters eat the cost of is immunizations. If an animal is not fully immunized at the time of adoption, many shelters will facilitate a discount for the remaining shots needed through one of their partner veterinary clinics—this can save new adopting pet parents as much as 100 dollars depending on their pet.
Another monetary advantage to adoption (as opposed to buying from a breeder) is that an adoption fee is much lower than the extremely high cost of breeder fees. Many times there are specific groups that rescue certain breeds, so this doesn’t have to be a limiting factor when someone is looking for a specific breed.
While for some people in certain limited circumstances, going to a breeder may be the best option, for many others the benefits of adopting a rescue animal are numerous.
Happy Holidays and Be Happy After the Holidays!
From our family to yours, we wish the happiest of holidays. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have on finding an ESA or getting an Emotional support letter.
