It's not a good idea to surprise your children with a pet on Christmas morning, according to Janice Mininberg, director of education and legislative action at the Women's Humane Society.

"It's too busy and stressful a time to bring a pet into a new home," she said, noting that during the holidays most homes are filled with visitors, dangerous objects like ornaments, excess food that could also be dangerous. "Put yourself in a small dog or cat's place near the floor with all those feet and legs and sights and smells all around. It's very stressful."

If you still want to give the gift of a pet, Mininberg said it would be a much better idea to give a gift certificate to a local shelter or let the children know that the family will look for a pet after the holidays.

"The time you bring an animal home should be quiet so you can spend time together and the pet can get used to the home slowly," she said. The Society urges you to carefully consider an animal's interaction with your family members and the demands of your lifestyle before making the decision to adopt a pet. 

The Women's Humane Society, located at 3839 Richlieu Road, is one of the country's first such organizations. It cares for unwanted dogs, cats and small animals.

Some of the Society's functions include adoptions, accepting unwanted animals, a hospital, cruelty investigations, education, obedience, and volunteer programs and ambulance service.

Adoptions were suspended until after the Christmas holiday and will resume on Dec. 28.

For more information, call the Women's Humane Society at (215) 750-3100 or vistit its website.