MADISON, Wis. — The holiday season is prime time for pets to be given as gifts.

But surprising a loved one with a furry friend isn’t always the best option.

After Christmas, many shelters see an increase in people surrendering a dog or cat after receiving it as a present and realizing they’re not ready for a pet.

Leaders at the Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) said it’s important to know that animals are a big commitment of time and money. That’s why the organization works to counsel anyone who comes in to adopt before they decide to go home with an animal.

“That’s making sure that the families are talking about a pet,” said Lisa Bernard, a spokesperson for DCHS. “If it’s not the family who’s actually buying the pet, maybe loop the parents and/or the guardian in about the type of pets that they’re looking for.”

She recommended adjusting the gift to be a trip to the shelter or pet store together to look at animals and find out more about ones you might be interested in. Gifters can offer to pay adoption fees or put together a box of pet supplies. That leaves the decision to actually buy a pet up to the individual or family.

“That gift giver can be part of the process,” Bernard said. “And you could see that bond getting formed right away too, which is an amazing experience to feel. And it’s an amazing thing to see too.”

If you do think it through and decide to gift a pet, make sure not to put it in a crate or box to be unwrapped.

“We don’t recommend that just because it can stress your pet out to suddenly go from being out and about to a box or, you know, from a cage to a box,” Bernard said.

She said the adoption counselors at DCHS are more than happy to help you make the decision that’s best for your family this holiday season.