Giving pets for gifts during the holidays

  Thought I would post a bit on this issue as the holidays are here. Many, many puppies, kittens and bunnies are given as gifts during the holiday season. And many, come March, find their way back into shelters looking for a home again. Mostly because the "new" has worn off and the true scope of pet care and responsibility has set in.

Before you think about getting that cute puppy or kitten for someone or for your child, please remember that a pet is for life, not just for Christmas. There is a lot of forethought that needs to go into giving someone or a child a pet. Unless you are an integral role in the family, you wont know what kind of animal would fit in best with their household, and situation. If you are a family member, a family meeting should be held so that everyone  can openly express their thoughts and ideas or likes and dislikes regarding pets. In addition, a discussion should happen about who will will take on what chores  will make things easier in the long run.

Research on proper care and the necessary equipment should be done beforehand. While something like a large dog breed might have sounded good, might need scaling back to a smaller breed that will cost less to maintain. And puppies and kittens are always adorable, but an older animal might be easier to incorporate into a busy household where both adults work.

On a more emotional and philosophical level, should a living creature ever be given as a gift? Do you think perhaps that it belittles the animal, reducing him or her to a mere possession like a doll or puppet that can be bought and sold, and passed on from one individual to another as a token of their consideration or affection? Shelters, rescuers and even some breeders refer to placing animals in homes as adopting them out. Their thought is that the adoptee then becomes a member of the family, rather than a possession obtained through the reception of a gift.

If the previous concerns have not dissuaded you, I might suggest that you rethink your timing.

Introducing a new animal into a household during the tumultuous holiday season is generally an invitation for trouble. Homes are bedecked with poisonous plants, lit candles and fragile decorations, all of which are decidedly not pet-friendly. People in the house are stressed out and preoccupied and routines suffer as people rush to and fro to go to parties, visiting loved ones, and possible vacations. Think about if it is fair to the animal to come into a chaotic environment to start with. Think about too if there is really time for housebreaking a new puppy or conducting the water tests necessary to set up a new aquarium? In most households, the answer would be a resounding "no."

Does the 3 year old child know what caring for a pet really means, and cries the first time Puppy nips or bites her on the hand while the two are playing. Mom and Dad then take the puppy off in the car and drop him off at the local animal shelter along with the three to five million other dogs and cats returned to shelters each year.

Sometimes though you have given thought to every possible angle and the present actually works out. But not always.

If you are giving thought to this,  and you still want to give a pet as a gift, I would sincerely like to encourage you to give thought to adopting a shelter or rescue pet to give. We have so many beautiful homeless animals out there already looking for their forever home wouldn't it be just as wonderful help them have a home and someone to love for the holidays too?

Think things through and discuss with the others if this is what you really want for the holidays. And perhaps fostering a pet for the holiday would be a good trial run.  But do remember that there is fear and anxiety on the part of the animal too coming to a new home a people that he or she doesn't know, there is always a big adjustment on all sides and learning to co-exist and adapt to one another. Be sure you have the time and the capability. When you take in an animal you are taking full responsibility for it's care and life, treat that life with love, compassion, and respect.