Many people think getting a dog or cat for Christmas is a great idea.

However Heaven Can Wait's Kim Hessel says, not so much.

"There's a spontaneity of getting an animal at Christmas I think is where people might go wrong, so if you're considering an animal over the holidays make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Just don't be spontaneous. It's a big, life long commitment."

Hessel says often it's better to wait until after the holiday season to make the decision on a new pet to avoid buying something you might regret out of emotion.