Considering giving a pet as a gift? Read this first

Considering a furry, four-legged, addition this holiday? The Wildlife Docs at Busch Gardens in Tampa offer this advice before Santa brings a cat or dog:

Be committed. Pet ownership should result from a thoughtful, conscious decision to bring a companion animal into the family, with a willingness to make a lifetime commitment.

Spay or neuter. It helps prevent pet overpopulation, so think carefully about it.

Visit a shelter. Millions of pets end up in shelters or animal control centers every year; consider adopting one of those. Busch Gardens and SeaWorld help spread awareness of shelters, provide homes for animals in need at park pet shows and provide financial and in-kind support.

The Wildlife Docs airs weekends on ABC stations nationwide. Check your local listings.