The season of giving is here, and families who said “maybe for Christmas” in the heat of summer are now looking for the cute puppies and kittens their children have been clamoring for.

Parents have thought about how they will make the adjustments to their routine that a new pet will necessitate. They have thought about how everyone in the family has agreed to feed, exercise, train, clean up after, work through problems with and love their new pet every day for the next 10 to 20 years.

For most of these families, the first stop will be the Humane Society. They would rather give a home to one of the thousands of unwanted pets in the community than support mass breeding that provides animals for pet shops.

One in four dogs in American animal shelters is a purebred.

Most dogs, cats, kittens and puppies end up at the shelter because of “people reasons,” such as cost, lack of time, lifestyle changes – new baby, divorce, or moving – not because of something the pet has done.

However, on any given day of the year a Humane Society may not have a pet that matches a family. Finding a pet with a personality and lifestyle to match yours may take several visits – and may not happen in time for the holidays.

Finding the right match is vital to a happy, lifelong relationship with a pet. They have to fit into our lives and we into theirs, or we will be unfulfilled and the pet will suffer. It may take time to find the one that you want to share your life, your home, and your lap.

Impulse buying of pets only leads to more misfortune at humane societies. So what can prospective new owners do for the holidays? First, do make the Humane Society your first stop – come in to the animal shelter and see what pets are available. If your match is there and you’re ready, Humane Society staff will gladly help you start your new relationship right away.

But there are alternatives. How about giving a gift certificate for a pet adoption, tied with a bow around a cat collar, a dog bowl, a scratching post or even the neck of a soft toy representing a shelter pet? That way, your beloved gets a gift on Christmas day but also gets to choose the new best friend – the best way to ensure success.

Of course, many of us already have enough pets in our homes – as my husband often reminds me – but we can give a gift that keeps on giving by helping the unwanted animals at the Humane Society.

Or you could make a gift in memory or in honor of a much loved pet, friend or relative by purchasing a ceramic tile with the person or pet’s photograph on it to be permanently mounted on the wall at the shelter or to take home.

The tiles are beautiful and a local supplier transfers the image without damaging the original photo. For more information about giving a gift that will benefit the animals at the Humane Society, call 942-8902, Ext. 115.

Becky Brimley is executive director of the Bangor Humane Society.