The Hits: Think before giving a pet this Christmas

Pets are not always the best gift at Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, many children will be begging their parents (or Santa) for a furry new addition to the family.

Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits - whatever their little hearts desire - you'll often never hear the end of it until you give in.

While the kids may have their hearts set on a particular type of animal, you need to choose one that will fit in with your lifestyle. While little Johnny may think a Madagascar hissing cockroach sounds like fun, Mum may have other ideas.

Equally, if you're looking at getting an active dog as a pet, you need to make sure your lifestyle is active enough to keep the pooch healthy and happy.

The SPCA has many great animals at its shelters just waiting to find their forever home and, while the kittens and puppies and cute little bunny rabbits can get snapped up pretty quickly, the older animals are often forgotten.

That's why we've launched a new feature called "The Un-Adoptables". Each week we'll profile an animal from the Hastings and Districts SPCA which is what they call a long-term resident.

Our first Un-Adoptable? A lovely cat named Adele. Just like the singer she has lovely hair, beautiful eyes and a kind heart. She can't sing to save herself but don't let that stop you from considering adopting this lovely feline. She's a couple of years old and was either lost or abandoned in Flaxmere before being handed in to the SPCA, where she's been living since October.

It costs the SPCA more than $300 to get cats up to scratch healthwise but Adele or another adult cat just like her could be yours for only $95.

We both have lovely pooches that are rescue dogs and they are just the best. Not sure there's any scientific proof to it but we'd swear they just know they've been saved by you and spend the rest of their lives trying to make it up to you by being your constant companion. In fact, Sarah's dog could do with a lesson in privacy as Sarah can't even go to the toilet without being followed.

If you are thinking about getting a pet, please consider adoption but remember, it's never a good idea to give a pet as a gift without the approval of the recipient: the last thing the SPCA needs is more unwanted pets turning up on its doorstep.

To check out the video of Adele, visit: thehits.co.nz/martinandsarah.