Most think getting a pet for the family for Christmas won't turn out well, that they won't be ready for the commitment after the excitement's worn down, but, that's not necessarily the case according to the Moose Jaw Humane Society Executive Director Jon Punshon.

"There was a little bit more hesitation about adopting animals out over the holiday season because it was sort of a disposable attitude, people wouldn't take that responsibility seriously. But we found since, and the research in our industry, has found that that is actually not the case," he explained. "Some animals that are adopted over the holiday season are often still in the home for many years to come."

Punshon says they'll be happy to have their animals adopted any time of the year, but you can't just choose one animal at a whim. While it may be an easy decision to pick a pet, it should be a family decision.

"We're certainly not opposed to people adopting pets as gifts but it is a big family decision," Punshon added. "So we certainly don't recommend it as a surprise and we encourage all family members to come down and you know view an animal, get to know it, make sure that all the family members connect with it."

So, instead of having a pet on Christmas day, maybe adoption papers and a collar should suffice.