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A pet can make a wonderful addition to a home. However, living, breathing animals are more than just gift ideas for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, Easter, or special occasions.
Caring for an animal comes with a commitment, often for a decade or more. Each animal deserves a pet parent who has time, energy, money, and interest to welcome them into their life. Still many people get puppies and kittens as gifts without much thought.
It’s tempting to surprise someone, especially children, with a fluffy puppy, bunny, hamster, or kitty complete with a bow. While you’re imagining the squeals of delight, consider how tragic the situation could become.
Imagine if the time, money, and energy commitment you imposed on the family grows to more than they can manage. A poor match could mean the animal ends up in a shelter, feels lonely, or even suffers abuse or neglect.
Think Twice Before Giving A Pet As A Gift
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Certainly as a gift, a pet is “free,” but there will be ongoing costs throughout the animal’s life including food, bedding and toys, veterinary care, grooming expenses, and a big investment of time to exercise, play with, and train the animal.
Anything less than a lifetime commitment is a betrayal of trust that pets deserve when we bring them home. This is not a commitment that you should make for someone else, no matter how good your intentions are.
Every pet needs — and deserves — plenty of time and attention as they adjust to their new forever home.
Most of us are especially busy during the holiday season with shopping and family meals, decorating the house and trimming the tree, having celebrations and overnight guests. We’re on the move more, contacting family and friends or attending seasonal festivities.
It’s a busy and sometimes stressful season, and likely not the best time to adjust to and care for a new animal. Consider the holiday environment and how difficult it could be for a new kitten to adjust to the frantic activity and the additional hazards — lights, plants, and decorations — in the home.
Most pets need a period of adjustment when they get to their new homes, and building your bond will be important during that time. With so many distractions during the holidays, it may be harder to find time to spend with your new kitten. Is that really fair to the cat?
Are The People Getting Your Gift Pet Really Ready?
As surprises go, choosing a pet for someone is generally a bad idea. The person who will be responsible for the animal must be the one who makes the decision to bring a new furry family member into their home.
There may be concerns about allergies, lifestyle, life span, energy levels, and special needs to consider.
Some people will cope better with a kitten, while others may prefer an older cat. People should select a pet only after considering important factors like size, activity level, and temperament.
The right match between humans and their animal companions is very personal, and because of the commitment involved, an important part of the process is for the pet parent to fully understand and be prepared for the responsibility.
It’s a sad reality that, at holiday times like Christmas and Easter, kitten mills and backyard breeders make a profit from selling pets who are often unhealthy or have likely been neglected since they were born and bred in inhumane environments.
The ASPCA urges shoppers to fight this cruelty by refusing to shop for animals from these types of businesses.
Pay The Adoption Fee, Instead
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Shelter animals are a better choice, so don’t shop — adopt! If you are still determined that a pet is the perfect gift, pay the shelter adoption fee in advance for the gift recipient.
This allows the person or family to choose their own pet on their own timeline. They will be able to weigh the financial, emotional, and time concerns of pet parenting and make a decision. If they ultimately decide against adopting an animal, you will have made a much-needed donation to the shelter in their name.
The unconditional love we get from our pets is unequaled, but animals come with work, a time commitment, vet bills, and unintended messes, so a pet should never be an impulsive gift. Animals are vulnerable, living, and breathing creatures deserving of more than fleeting attention as a gift-wrapped surprise.
Anything less than a lifetime of love in a secure home is ultimately unfair to everyone.
Do you think you’re ready to get a pet as a gift? What other gifts could you get someone who wants a pet? Let us know in the comments below!