Adopting a Cavalier around the Christmas period

It’s important to remember that adopting a Cavalier is a serious responsibility and should not be done on a whim, especially during the holiday season. Many people adopt or purchase dogs around Christmas time with the best of intentions but may not be prepared for the time, energy, and resources required to care for a pet properly.

As a result, some of these dogs may end up in rescues after the holidays are over, more typically a few months later. If you’re considering adopting a Cavalier, it’s essential to ensure that you’re ready for the commitment and that you can provide the dog with a loving and stable home for the rest of its life. Adopting a dog should not be seen as a temporary, “just for Christmas” type of situation. Instead, it should be seen as a long-term commitment to provide the dog with the care and attention it needs.

Taking into account adopters’ individual Christmas plans

Christmas can be a busy and stressful time for many people, and bringing a rescue dog home during this time may not be the best idea. Adopting a dog is a serious responsibility and requires a lot of time to care for the animal properly. During the holiday season, many people may not have the time or energy to devote to a new pet, and may not be able to provide the dog with the care and attention it needs. Additionally, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be overwhelming for a rescue dog, who may already be anxious or fearful due to their previous experiences. You could have many visitors which could be very scary for a rescue dog trying to adjust to a new environment. For these reasons, if you do have this type of Christmas planned, then it may be better to wait until after the holiday season to bring a rescue (or any) dog home. This will give you and the dog time to adjust and settle into your new routine without the added stress of the holidays.

On the other hand, many people do choose to have a quiet Christmas. For some, a quiet Christmas may be a matter of preference or personal tradition. They may enjoy spending the holiday at home in a relaxed and low-key manner and can use this time with not much else going on to settle in a new addition.

A quiet Christmas can provide the dog with a calm and peaceful environment to adjust to its new home and can also give you and the dog time to bond and develop a relationship. This includes providing the dog with regular exercise, socialisation and training. It’s also important to keep in mind that rescue dogs may have had previous experiences that make them anxious or fearful, and an extended holiday period may be beneficial for them to relax and feel safe. Overall, having a quiet Christmas with a new rescue dog can be a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday and start a new chapter in both of your lives.

Each situation is different and as a responsible rescue, we will always factor in individual circumstances. Many of our adopters have been patiently waiting a long time for the right dog to come along. The adoption process we have in place ensures everyone understands the huge commitment it is to take on a rescue Cavalier.

There was a time when rescue centres would close in mid-December and reopen in the new year. We all realise now that we don’t need to be as rigid as that, as every home is different. The Cavaliers in rescue always come first; often, it is in their interests to go to their forever home rather than wait in foster homes for weeks longer than they need to. We simply ask that applicants are honest and sensible about their plans and that they only apply when it is the right time for the dog to settle in their home happily.