I'd like to remind people considering a pet for their family during the holidays to try a local shelter or rescue organization, instead of the retail puppy farms.

Millions of animals are sent to shelters each year but only a fraction are placed in homes afterwards. Most are killed. And while you could purchase from a petstore, many of the animals are raised in substandard conditions that should not be encouraged by spending money on them.

Instead you can save an animal and give it a loving home, and support some truely worthy institutions by going to a pet rescue group or shelter. There's nearly a rescue group for every breed of cat and dog, and the groups make it very easy for you to be united with some grateful animals.

And for god sakes people, spay and neuter your pets.