Pets are not good gifts, find out why
You may think that it would be a great gift to surprise someone dear to you with a pet. Maybe your favorite aunt’s cat just died and you think that she may be lonely. Maybe you’ve heard the kids that you’ve been babysitting keep begging their parents for a hamster. But pets are not good gifts.
If fact this could be one of the worst gifts that you can give someone. Yes, animals are endearing and can bring lots of love into a home, but does the person really want a pet that you’ve picked? Is it the right pet for them?
Picking a pet is a very personal decision. It should not be done by someone else.
Your gift may involve a time commitment that they just can’t fulfill.
A pet requires a lot of attention. They need to be fed, walked, and trained. When we go on vacation or travel, then arrangements must be made for the care of the pet. Having a pet is a long-term commitment. On average a dog can live 12 years, a cat for 15 years, and a larger bird for decades. Considering this, pets are not good gifts.
Your gift may involve a financial responsibility that they just can’t support.
A pet requires food, visits to a vet, medicine, toys, and other supplies. A dog owner can spend on average $1500 annually and a cat owner about $1200 on average according to the American Pet Products Association. Maybe the person is not prepared to support this level of financial commitment. This is an often overlooked reason why pets are not good gifts.
Your gift may involve timing that just doesn’t work for his or her life.
The person may still be mourning the death of a beloved pet and is just not ready for a new one. Maybe the person is getting ready for a new job or is thinking about moving. Each of us should be able to decide when and if we are ready for a pet. Your intent may be admirable, but here’s another reason why pets are not good gifts.
Your gift may involve the need to relinquish an unwanted pet to an animal shelter.
The pet may not the right one for a number of reasons and could turn out to be unwanted. Depending on where you got the pet, the gift recipient may not be able to return it. If they can’t find another owner for the pet, then the pet may end up being placed in an animal shelter. It’s quite likely then that this pet will be euthanized, joining the fate of millions of other pets.
Bringing a pet into our home is life changing and is a decision that we should make, and not someone else.
Pets are not good gifts, even when given by a well-meaning friend or relative. If we do not connect with the animal emotionally, then we may be resentful toward the pet and not be able to fully love it. This would be unfortunate for both the person and the pet. A gift certificate that could be used for pet supplies, training, or boarding would be a much better gift, given after the person has brought his or her beloved new pet home.