Question: My friend's cat hasn't come home. I was wondering if a cat for Christmas might cheer her up. What do you think?

Answer: While helping your friend find another cat seems logical, the only thing that will truly cheer her up is if her cat returns. Like people, pets are individuals and they are truly irreplaceable.

No matter how long it's been since your friend's cat went missing, there's always hope. At the Hawaiian Humane Society, there are countless stories of people-pet reunions after years of separation.

If the loss is fairly recent, you can help cheer up your friend by ensuring signs are posted, the neighborhood is canvassed and the Humane Society is informed of the missing pet. If the pet had a microchip, it's imperative that our database is checked to ensure that your friend's most up-to-date contact information is on file. It's also important to reactivate the missing-pet report every 30 days.

As for bringing a new cat into your friend's life, only she knows when the time is right. It's natural for a caring friend to want to try to help with a quick fix. However, picking an animal and selecting the right time are deeply personal decisions.

Q: Is it a good idea to make a pet choice for someone else?

A: Generally, that's not good for the recipient or the animal. Just before Christmas the Humane Society experiences a surge in adoptions. While it's wonderful for so many animals to be placed in homes, impulse adoptions can mean that animals are placed with families unprepared for the commitment.

What you can do for your friend is purchase a gift certificate from the Humane Society for the amount of an adoption. She can use that certificate as she pleases - for an adoption or for any of the many items we offer for people.