There are some products you might buy throughout the year that you make sure animals weren’t harmed in their manufacturing. Fur is an easy one, but many cosmetics and household cleaners are still tested on animals. It’s important to be an educated shopper any day; but the holidays also provide an opportunity for you to give humanely and to celebrate with festivities that make a difference for animals and the environment.

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said, “The holiday season is an ideal time to show your compassion for animals.”

When shopping for that perfect gift or hosting warm celebrations with family and friends, we can make so many choices that are good for animals, the environment and ourselves:

Beauty without cruelty: Year after year, countless animals endure unnecessary, painful testing for cosmetics. There are many companies and brands around the world that sell luxurious, safe, on-trend products produced without any new animal testing. These companies are listed at leapingbunny.org. Always read labels to make sure you’ve made a cruelty-free choice.

Gifts for all kinds, that benefit all kinds: Looking to purchase treats, toys and other gifts for your favorite furry family members or friends? Stay away from stores where puppies and kittens are sold. Shop at stores that sell pet supplies only, or those that feature adoption opportunities for animals from local shelters, rescue organizations or animal nonprofits.

 Adding to the family: Bringing a new pet home can be a wonderful experience any time of the year, including the holidays. Many local shelters and rescues have cats, dogs and other animals looking for a home, and a local organization may be holding special adoption promotions to highlight pets in need. Even if you are not ready for a full-time companion, fostering a shelter or rescue pet over the holidays gives an animal a break from the shelter and reduces the workload for local shelter staff. If you decide to purchase from a breeder, beware of pet seller scams and never purchase a puppy or kitten from a website or pet store. Most puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. If you do choose to buy a puppy from a breeder, remember that a responsible breeder will be proud to show you where the puppy and mother dog have been living. Stay away from a dealer who will not agree to this. 

Guests and pets: Though the excitement of a party may overwhelm some pets, keep your pets inside during extreme weather and provide plenty of safe toys to keep them busy. If needed, move your cat or dog to a quiet space or crate during holiday parties. If fostering a pet over the holidays, research shows that the best thing to do is allow them to find deep rest away from the commotion of friends and family. Inform visitors ahead of time that you have a pet and what the rules of engagement are.

Celebrate in style, not in fear: On New Year’s Eve, many people enjoy the booming sounds and flashing lights of fireworks which can be terrifying and hazardous for pets and wildlife. Keep pets safe from firework stress by keeping them indoors or leashed at all times and be sure they are wearing collars and ID tags.

Hit the road humanely: Carefully consider whether it’s the right choice to take your pet on a trip. If pets are more comfortable staying at home, ask a pet sitter to keep their routines as consistent as possible. Wherever they spend the holidays, dogs and cats should have collars and ID tags that provide a way to reach you quickly. A good tip for cats is to have a tag that indicates if they are indoor-only cats and not a community cat who is allowed to roam.

Jeffery Ritter is Director of Development at Flagler Humane Society and can be reached at jritter@flaglerhumanesociety.org. Flagler Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1980. For more information go to flaglerhumanesociety.org.