Green Bay and Door County, Wis. (December 16, 2025) – As people across the nation finish their holiday gift buying, some are wondering if the holidays are a good time to bring home a new furry family member. The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is happy to report that for many people, the holiday season can be a great time to adopt!
“There is a long-standing belief that pets given as gifts, particularly around the holidays, often end up in shelters several weeks later,” explains Corey Viars, media specialist at the WHS Green Bay Campus. “But the data shows us that is just not true. In fact, people are surprised to learn that animals given as gifts are actually more likely to be kept in their new homes.”
WHS has seen great success for many families adopting at the holidays and does not see a large spike in returns following the gift giving season. Their adoption process helps ensure that adopters are prepared for their new arrival. They also remain a resource to support adopters with training and any other issues they may have.
Plus, by the time they pick up their new pet, most adopters have already been considering taking in an animal for a long time. In a survey of 10,000 WHS adopters, only 3% of clients expressed that they have been considering a new pet for less than a week, and more than 75% have been considering a pet for 6 months or longer.
That being said, WHS still cautions potential holiday adopters if travel and vacation time would keep them away from their new family member. WHS would also never recommend gifting an animal to anyone who is not seeking a pet. They also point out that gift certificates are also popular as gifts, and can be used not only for adoption fees, but also merchandise sold in their stores.
To see animals available for adoption, make a donation, or learn how you can get involved, visit www.wihumane.org.
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