By Victoria Mullen, WKTV
The holiday season is upon us and so, too, is the spirit of gift-giving. We’re taking this opportunity to remind everyone that live animals don’t make good surprise gifts.
This time of year, young animals are particularly vulnerable to the pet trade — puppies, kittens, baby bunnies, they’re all adorable, but once the cuteness wears off and the novelty fades, who will care for them until their end of days? Will the gift recipient relinquish the pet to a crowded shelter or advertise ‘Free Puppy’ on Craigslist? Abandon the pet out in the country or leave it behind when they move?
Animals are not toys
We get it: ‘Tis the season, and that cute, little puppy is just so irresistible. But take a moment to think this through — your children may be too young or immature to appreciate how delicate animals are. Many surprise pets end up injured or dead, and bunnies, kittens, chicks, and puppies are especially vulnerable. Kids may not be able to detect animals’ stress signals if the pets’ tails or ears are pulled, putting kids at risk of being scratched or bitten. And they may unintentionally torment and/or harm animals, even breaking their fragile bones or causing other fatal injuries. A child’s attention span may be better suited to a stuffed animal.
“While surprise pets may be well-intentioned, the reality is that time, money and patience are required to care for a companion animal that works well with a family,” said Ginny Mikita, animal advocate and attorney with Mikita Kruse Law Center in Rockford, Michigan. “Young children are not mature enough to properly care for an animal. People need to make a reasoned decision, as a family.”
Refrain from giving a surprise pet unless you are absolutely certain that the person wants that particular animal as a companion and is willing and able to give a lifetime of proper care.
PETA
That cute, little pup with all that boundless energy? He’ll need training and exercise — which takes love and patience — and he won’t stay small for long. Adopting an animal means making a permanent commitment to provide lifelong care. Consider the investment required: time, affection, food, accessories, ongoing vet care — including spaying or neutering, flea treatment, vaccinations, deworming and emergency care. Once a pet joins your household, he’s a member of the family.
All members of the family should meet the animal prior to adoption. Is everyone on board with the decision? Who will be responsible for feeding, walking the dog, cleaning the litter box?
If you’re thinking of giving a pet to someone outside your family, consider the gift recipient’s life circumstances — do they rent or own a residence? Many landlords don’t allow pets. Does your loved one travel often? Would the pet travel with them? Or, would they need to board the pet? What is the gift recipient’s financial situation — can they afford to properly care for a pet? It could be that the gift recipient’s lifestyle isn’t ideal for the pet. Do they even want a pet?
Too many Christmas critters end up in shelters after they outgrow the cuteness phase or become too much to handle. Mikita said that 25% of shelter animals are purebred, and many were gifts. The trauma for animals changing homes can be devastating, resulting in psychological scarring and behavioral problems. This can make it difficult for the animal to find a new home.
Other options
So, what are some responsible animal gift ideas?
- Give a Petfinder Pet Promise Certificate, which allows the recipient to adopt the pet of their choice; the giver promises to cover all adoption fees for the new pet.
- Help the gift recipient pick out an adult dog or cat from a local animal shelter or rescue organization. While puppies and kittens are adorable, with an adult animal, what you see is what you get — these animals have already settled into their size, personality and energy level, giving great insight into whether they’d be a good fit for your family.
- Taking a senior friend or family member on an outing to your local rescue group to meet potential adoption candidates is a holiday treat in and of itself.
If all this isn’t enough to dissuade you from gifting a surprise animal, ask yourself this: What happens to surprise pets after the holidays, when the child has lost interest in the animal and the adults are forced to make the difficult decision on the best way to “solve” the problem?
Many times these animals are surrendered to a crowded shelter or pound or, worse, handed off to nefarious people who troll Craigslist and other public forums for “Free pet” ads. Your family member could end up as a bait animal for fighting dogs or the star of a crush video.
And we’re not talking Hollywood.
