Animals, especially dogs, aren't always great Christmas gifts, according to some at the Butler County Humane Society.

“Pets are not like a pair of shoes,” said Kristen Cully, who sits on the humane society's board of directors. “They're not gifts, they're family members.”

Cully said she can see the appeal, but the numbers don't lie. She said many animals are returned or abandoned shortly after the holiday season.

“It's really exciting to get a dog at Christmas time, but it's three months down the road that it's time to get worried that it'll get returned or neglected,” she said.

About 6.5 million animals enter shelters each year, and only about half of those will be adopted, according to the ASPCA's website.

Cully said sometimes people don't realize how much work an animal could be or how much they can cost. She said it's also a matter of fit.

Cully said there are ways to make sure that a pet is the right gift.

She said the first thing a person should do is gauge the personality of the individual they are buying for. Do they have a lot of friends coming and going? Do they exercise a lot? Are they laid back? Do they like the outdoors? These are all good questions to ask when trying to match a person to a dog.

“Try and fit the breed to the family,” Cully said.

It also may be better if immediate family buys the dog for one another rather than extended family; for example, a parent buys a dog for their child. She said the closer a person is to the family member, the better the chances that they find the right match. A parent could also help guide their child and teach them how to befriend the dog.

“You know exactly what you are getting into,” she said.

Cully said it would also be helpful to visit the animal multiple times beforehand. She said choosing one on a whim is a bad idea.

“Do meet-and-greets,” she said.

Getting a dog for someone who has previous experience in owning or training dogs would help make the process easier. Experience widens the range of dogs that could be a good fit, according to Cully. It also shows that the person would have the patience to bond with the animal.

“You have to be willing to work with them, if they're not perfect,” Cully said.

This would be especially important for puppies, who are as malleable as humans at an early age.

“Everyone loves a puppy at first,” Cully said. “(But) puppies are going to grow up.”

“Puppies are like babies, so that's a big commitment when you are first trying to purchase a dog,” she said.

Cully said there isn't a one-breed-fits-all type of dog, and even breeds are only basic identifiers. Dogs can have wide ranging personalities that break the mold, just like people.

She said if a buyer is concerned about the fit of a dog, there are other animals that could fill the need.

She said cats also have personalities, but they are generally laid back. Some want to play more than others, but they still spend a lot of time alone.

“Cats are pretty easy going,” Cully said.

Cully said smaller animals can be good starter pets.

“Rabbits or guinea pigs are good gifts for those people with that interest and that are responsible,” she said. “As long as you know the person likes that.”

Cully said giving an animal as a gift to someone else is an important decision that affects many lives, and it should not be made lightly or at least without some thought and research.

“It's a lifetime commitment,” she said.

While there are a lot of things to be wary of when buy a pet, Cully said receiving a pet on a holiday like Christmas can be a rewarding experience.

“You'd be getting a lifetime family member,” she said. “(And,) if you adopt from a shelter, you'd be saving a life.”

She said in terms of a gift, not many can beat finding a warm, furry friend ready to share its life with you.

“Really if you do your research, it could be the greatest gift ever,” Cully said.