With the holidays approaching, it’s the perfect time to remind everyone that pets are not presents. It’s an adorable storyline in movies, shows, and commercials. But in real life, it’s not a responsible move. And we’ll explain why.
1. Commitment
The first thing to keep in mind is that once the magic of presenting the surprise pet is over, years of care lie ahead. Depending on the type and breed, a pet can live for 20 years or more. The time, attention, and money required to provide good care for a bit can be overwhelming, especially when it’s not a choice you make yourself.
2. Compatibility
Choosing a pet is like choosing a friend or spouse. It’s incredibly personal, and everyone has different preferences and priorities. Even if you know for sure that a loved one wants to adopt a pet, and surprising them with one seems fun, doing so takes away their ability to choose for themselves. Plus, the experience of going to a shelter and considering all the options is one of the best parts of pet adoption.
3. Timing
Adding a new pet to your life can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. So, it’s best to do it during a period when you have the energy and hours to dedicate to helping your new furry friend acclimate. That’s why surprising someone with an animal they suddenly have to care for could be inconsiderate. Maybe they have an upcoming trip or are just super busy with the holidays. And now they have to rearrange everything to accommodate a pet they didn’t plan for.
4. Preparation
Many people who decide to adopt a pet take the time beforehand to buy supplies, make safety changes around their homes, and find the right veterinarian. When a pet is a surprise gift, they don’t have the chance to do anything that might make the pet’s homecoming easier.
5. Age
Gifting a child or teen a pet is a whole other conversation. Any parents or family members considering this should know that the child will need lots of help caring for the pet. Obviously, the parents will be financially responsible as well. But they’ll also likely be the ones in charge of vet visits, nighttime walks, feedings, and many other everyday tasks. That said, never gift a child a pet without first clearing it with the parents. And if you’re a parent, have reasonable expectations of your involvement.
What can you do instead?
Thankfully, there are lots of ways to help facilitate the addition of a new pet as a gift.
- Buy them some of the supplies they need
- Pay the adoption fees
- Take them to the shelter when they’re ready
- Offer to pay for the first veterinarian visit
- Give them IOU cards for pet sitting
This holiday season, we urge you to remember that pets are not presents. They’re long-term commitments to the health and happiness of a living thing, and only the person who has that commitment should make the choice.
