JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Holiday gifts are still being returned, and employees at the Rock County Humane Society said they are seeing an influx of pets given as holiday gifts that end up being sent to shelters.

On Wednesday, the Humane Society housed half a dozen animals that were intended to be gifts. They had five puppies and a kitten, WISC-TV reported.

"After all the years that I've been here, we kind of learn to expect it," said Kim Reynolds, of the Rock County Humane Society.

The organization said that each year after the holidays, there's a spike in puppies and kittens brought to the shelter.

Workers said the problem goes beyond finding the pet a new home.

"It's just not fair to the animal to bring it to us," Reynolds said. "At the same time, you're teaching the children that animals are disposable. (Saying), 'It's not working out, so we're just going to get rid of it.' That's a very, very bad thing to be teaching a child because you're engraining that in the child's head."

Tommy, a young pit bull, was originally a holiday gift. The animal's original owners couldn't stand his crying and gave him up, Humane Society workers said.

After a short stay at the shelter, he'll soon have a new home. His new owner said she is prepared for the challenges of raising a puppy. Ashley Pruitt said she was shocked to find out why such a loving puppy was abandoned.

"I honestly can't believe it," Pruitt said. "How could you give up a puppy and say, 'Just because it made noise'? It's something you should expect, just like a baby."

While some pets make it to the shelter, others don't. Humane Society workers said that pets abandoned at a young age have an uncertain future. However, being at the shelter means getting a second chance for some animals.

For Tommy, that means finally finding a loving home.

"He's going to be a great family dog," Pruitt said. "He's a sweetheart already and already knows a few tricks."

The Humane Society said it wants to remind everyone that pets don't make good gifts. They said that those looking to add a pet to their family should first understand the time and hard work it takes to raise a puppy or kitten, WISC-TV reported.

Workers said that there are plenty of adult dogs and cats are at the shelter looking for a home.