By Janelle Leeson
Melanie DeFazio / Stocksy
Heartwarming movies of individuals receiving puppies as shock items sometimes make their method round TikTok and Instagram, and it’s onerous to not be moved by the comfortable tears and joyful reactions. However charming although these movies could also be, they usually don’t reveal whether or not or not these puppies got with cautious consideration. Puppies require loads of time, consideration, and care, so the individual gifting a pet should be sure that the recipient is ready for the accountability.
The recipient’s way of life, expertise with pets, and dwelling state of affairs ought to all be taken under consideration when gifting a pet. Failing to take action can have severe penalties: Every year, round 3.9 million canine find yourself in U.S. animal shelters, and 20 p.c of these canine are there as a result of their households didn’t have the time or assets to look after a pet. Whereas the recipient of a pet as a present will seemingly love their canine, they will not be in the most effective state of affairs to present their pet the care they want.
So, earlier than you place a pet underneath the Christmas tree, take time to think about whether or not giving a canine as a present is the correct alternative for the meant recipient.
Do pets make good items?
The query of whether or not pets make good items is a posh one. Some shelters and rescues don’t permit folks to undertake pets to present away as items until they’re gifting to somebody inside their family, like a mum or dad for his or her little one, with the mum or dad remaining chargeable for the pet’s care. Some shelters shouldn’t have restrictions in any respect on the “switch of possession” as soon as a pet is adopted, so it’s as much as the adopter to make the most effective determination for the pet and for the individual to whom they’re gifting the pet.
Inquiries to ask earlier than gifting a pet
Earlier than you resolve to present a cherished one a pet as a present, take time to search out out if their way of life is correct for a canine — or in the event that they even need one proper now — by asking the next questions:
- Is the recipient in a position and keen to decide to 10 to fifteen years of caring for a canine?
- Does the recipient have an allergy to pet dander?
- Does the recipient work at home or have a job that enables them to correctly look after a pet?
- Does the recipient dwell in an condominium or rental, and if that’s the case, does their lease permit pets?
In the event you don’t know the solutions to those questions, it is best to most likely keep away from giving a pet as a present, at the least not with out speaking to the recipient first. Think about taking the one you love to go to a shelter as a substitute to spend time with canine and puppies with out committing to the long-term care of a pet. You may also give the recipient a present certificates to a shelter or rescue group to allow them to make the most effective determination for themselves.
What ought to I contemplate earlier than gifting a pet?
A pet is greater than a cute bundle of fur (though they’re positively that, too!). That lovely pet will want coaching, common vet visits, vaccinations, meals, and quite a few provides to remain comfortable and wholesome all through their life. One of the essential issues to know earlier than gifting a pet (or adopting one your self) is {that a} canine is a 10-to-15-year dedication. That’s a present with loads of strings connected and one which requires cautious thought and planning.
Choosing the proper pet
If you’re giving a pet as a present to somebody in your family, ensure that the recipient has stated they’re able to make a lifelong dedication to caring for a pet, not that you just simply assume they need a pet. As a substitute of gifting a pet, contemplate gifting the adoption charge and let the recipient take part within the choice course of. You might discover that bounding Labrador adolescent lovely, however your mother might even see an enormous time and train dedication (to not point out a severe shoe-destruction threat) and actually need to undertake a calmer, likely-past-the-worst-chewing-stage grownup canine (or perhaps a cat). So, before you purchase a canine as a present, contemplate the recipient’s way of life and desires, in addition to what they need in a pet — or whether or not they need a pet in any respect.
Methods to give a gift-wrapped pet
Earlier than you begin considering of inventive methods to present a pet as a present, contemplate an easier strategy. We’ve seen sensible shelters provide pet adoption reward certificates, which the gifter can wrap in a field with a stuffed animal to place underneath the tree. You possibly can even embody a card providing to go together with them to the shelter or rescue to pick a pet to undertake.
Gifting pets to kids
Whereas deciding to get a pet for teenagers is an effective way to place smiles on kids’s faces, it requires loads of thought and dialogue beforehand. Mother and father or different relations ought to know that kids or youngsters might promise they are going to be absolutely chargeable for a pet’s care, however they could not notice the effort and time concerned. Present-givers ought to talk about pet adoption intimately and ensure a resident grownup is keen to take full accountability for the pet getting the train, coaching, feeding, and vet care they want — for the pet’s complete life.
Timing is every thing
Holidays are sometimes chaotic, with family and friends visiting, frequent journey, and weird work schedules. If this appears like the house the place you’re gifting the pet, we propose ready till the pet’s new residence calms down first, so everybody may have the time to present the pet the eye and common routine they should settle in. Maybe give pet provides because the precise vacation items — like a brand new leash and collar, a pet mattress, or a lot of toys — and let the recipient know that your reward contains the adoption charge for the pet of their alternative after the vacation frenzy has handed.
FAQs (Individuals Additionally Ask)
Is it a good suggestion to present a pet as a present?
It’s typically not a good suggestion to present a pet as a present to anybody outdoors your rapid household. Mother and father may give a pet to their youngsters or companion, however solely after an in depth dialogue concerning the accountability concerned.
Ought to I shock somebody with a pet?
A pet ought to by no means be a shock. As a substitute, provide to take the one you love to a shelter or adoption company and pay the adoption charge for his or her new pet. This permits them to decide on the pet they need and put together for the dedication of pet parenthood.
What if the recipient can’t preserve the pet?
If the recipient can’t preserve a gifted pet, they’ll seemingly need to be rehomed or returned to the shelter or rescue, which will be traumatizing for the canine. It’s essential to find out if the recipient can put money into pet parenthood beforehand.
References
Janelle Leeson is a Portland, Oregon-based freelance author. Her work has been featured in magazines akin to Inside Your Canine’s Thoughts, Inside Your Cat’s Thoughts, and Paw Print, as properly on-line at Insider Evaluations, NBC Choose, Store At present, PetMD, and Every day Paws. She has two journey cats, a flock of city chickens, and a soon-to-be-husband who doesn’t thoughts housing the occasional foster cat — or 5.
