The down sized Southwest Missouri Humane Society wants you to make sure a pet is the perfect present for your loved one before you buy this holiday season. They say just as quickly as the dogs and cats are adopted, many are dumped right back into the kennels they were so excited to leave a few months later.

The Southwest Missouri Humane Society closed their south side location just a few months ago which cut their kennel size by about 25 animals. They say now more than ever they want you to make sure your loved one can handle a four legged friend, forever.

The adorable eyes, wagging tails, and outstretched arms make it hard for anyone to resist buying a pet for a Christmas present. Southwest Missouri Humane Society employees say too many strays wind up right back there a few months after the holidays. All About Dawgs trainer Gail Jackson says, "We call it the holiday dump" Jackson, who is also a boxer and schnauzer rescue worker, knows training is a task. Especially if someone with great gift intentions buys their loved one the wrong breed. Jackson says, "We don’t want those people who should be a toy poodle person ending up with a St. Bernard." Too many times the perfect present gets returned. Southwest Missouri Humane Society Executive Director Bonnie Miller says, “We'd love all of our animals to find homes during December for all of our animals so they don't have to spend them in cages here." But they want that home to permanent which often means bypassing the puppies and kittens for adult dogs and cats. Miller says, "That way you know what you’re getting and there are no surprises."

They recommend buying a gift certificate for a pet instead. Miller says, "Please do not pick it out there's a certain amount of chemistry involved in picking a pet." Jackson agrees. She recommends buying all the pet essentials so there's still something to unwrap but the pet can be picked out by the new owner. Jackson says, "During the holidays households are stressful and bringing in an animal adds to that stress."

Neither wants to discourage buying pets they just want to make sure a lot of thought goes into choosing the newest member of your family.

Just yesterday someone dumped 13 puppies off at the Southwest Missouri Humane Society just another example of why they say spaying and neutering is a must.

If you're not ready for a pet of your own, you can sponsor an animal by making a donation to lower the cost of an adoption, spay or neuter or buy a kennel.