Believe it or not, it is widely recommended that you do not gift animals to people for birthday or Christmas, for many reasons, although the receiver might love animals, taking care of them a whole new responsibility that they might not be ready for.
Buying somebody else a new pet is a huge gift that comes with years and years of responsibility that could be unwanted, they may not have the space, time or money. Even if they have discussed adopting an animal, you would have be be certain they are ready for one, let alone picking the gender and breed of their animal since it is a life-changing commitment.
There is an influx in buying pets on the run up to Christmas for puppies and kittens as families want to add a new addition to themselves, and it is highly recommended that you rescue, or adopt from a trusted breeder rather than one locally, who don’t check on where the puppy/kitten is going, and have a higher chance of the puppy/kittens being abandoned.
But the sad reality about pets who are gifted as presents for Christmas and seen as toys, countless of them are abandoned soon after as people don’t realise the commitment that comes with them. They, in hindsight should never been given as gifts at all, unless it’s the receiver who are going to help care for the animal, such as, a parent gifting their child a dog, while taking on all the roles and responsibilities with it. Having a new companion in a family is a decision that will likely change you and your household’s like for the next 7+ years, and will need care throughout.
With that being said, gifting a child a new pet can be dangerous for the pet depending on age, as the child may not understand boundaries and could potentially harm the pet. Even though the child may think that they are just ‘playing’, to smaller animals who are more vulnerable could see this as a physical attack and could retaliate.
The saddest results of all this is the animal being abandoned, whether you’re a human, dog, cat or hamster, it can be traumatising for anyone or thing, pets may have only just settled in then have to leave and stay in the shelter, resulting in potential life-long trauma that could’ve been avoided.
If you feel like you are ready to commit and adopt, helping resolve the issue of animals being sad and abandoned, after Christmas and new years, head down to the shelter and go and pick up a new companion and give them a second chance at life.
