Say No to Pets as Christmas Presents!

It seems like the cutest, most thoughtful present you can think of - a bundle of pure joy wrapped up in fur and topped with a bright red Christmas bow peeking out from a basket. 

Yes, they are cute and cuddly. Yes, they bring instant smiles to peoples' faces. Yes, they could be life changing. But pets, particularly cats & dogs, aren't mere commodities. They are living and breathing beings who require a lot of love and care. 

Caring for pets is a huge responsibility. When you give someone a pet as a present, that means you are also gifting them with all the responsibilities that come with being a pet owner! And, to be completely honest, there are A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES. 

Pets, much like very young children, will need a lot of attention. They will depend on their caretakers for food, water, shelter, hygiene, health, exercise, companionship, training, and basically everything! 

The other important thing to remember is that: pets are a long-term commitment. Dogs live for an  average of 12-15 years and cats live for more than 15 years! 

Having a pet will most definitely change someone's life and impact their lifestyle.  When you give someone a pet as a present, think about whether they are ready to handle: RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT. 

If the answer is NO, then consider giving them a non-living gift instead. Maybe a stuffed toy or a pair of socks will be more suitable. 

That said, there are rare exceptions to this rule. With ample planning and research, you might actually discover that a pet may indeed be the perfect gift for someone in your life! 

Here are a few tips for giving pets as gifts. 

ASK FIRST. Surprises are nice, but not when it comes to giving a pet as a gift.  Ask them if they really want a pet , if they are ready for a pet and exactly what type of pet they need/want. This is to ensure that the recipient and pet will make a perfect match that will last for as long as the pet lives. 

MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY AND ABLE TO CARE FOR A PET. 
If a child isn't old enough to take care of a dog, don't give a pet.
If an elderly person cannot keep up with a cat, don't give a pet.
If a busy professional doesn't have time to care for a pet, don't give them one.
If someone doesn't have space for a pet, don't give them one.  
It's as simple as that. 

CONSIDER GIVING PETS ONLY TO IMMEDIATE FAMILY.  It's not a good idea to give someone else's kid a pet, even if they say they want one. Stick to your own kids, siblings or parents only. 

DON'T BE IMPULSIVE. Getting a pet is a big decision, and so is giving one as a gift. It requires a lot of thought and planning. Involve the whole family in this decision if you can.  Getting a pet isn't like shopping for shoes - there are no easy "returns" or "exchanges"  when it comes to getting a pet. 

 LET THEM PICK OUT THEIR OWN PET. It doesn't need to be some super top-secret surprise. If you've decided that a pet is indeed the perfect gift for someone, work with them to ensure they get the pet that they want! Head on over to the local shelter or adoption center together to pick out a pet that fits their needs/wants. This way, it will be a perfect match. 

Another alternative is to give them a gift certificate for the adoption fee and they can go pick out the pet themselves whenever they are ready to. Give them a gift basket filled with pet toys and treats along with the gift certificate to build up excitement! 

ADOPT, DON'T SHOP! There are so many pets in need of homes. Midland has more than enough pets that are just sitting at a shelter or adoption center waiting to be adopted. Most of the time, they are fighting for their lives. All they need is a home!  If you want to give a thoughtful, meaningful gift --  give them a rescue dog or cat! Adopt a pet, instead of buying one and save a precious life in the process.  

DONATE TO A RESCUE IN THEIR NAME. You don't have to get a pet-lover an actual pet as a gift. Consider giving a  tribute donation to a local rescue (Ahem... MHC) in their name!  

This holiday season, be more thoughtful when giving a pet as a present. Avoid the impulse to purchase the adorable little fur ball in the pet shop window because the kids think it's cute. Sadly, Christmas is usually the time of year when a lot of pets given as presents end up back in the shelter. When pets end up in the shelter, most of the time, they don't get to have a happy ending. 

Don't contribute to the homeless pet crisis this Christmas. Be fair to pets - they have feelings, too. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

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