3 Reasons Pets Don’t Make Good Presents

As the holidays draw near, many people might be thinking of giving a sweet, adorable, bundle of petly joy as a present.  It’s easy to see why.  You’ve had cuddly bundles of fuzzy joy shoved down your throat by the interwebs, media, and organizations, like my own, Animal Rescues of Michigan.  We don’t do it to taunt you, promise. 

So you’ve been brainwashed, a little.  Maybe you’ve talked about getting pet for your children, significant other, family or friend.  You think they’re ready, willing, and the perfect person for a pet.  However, there are plenty of reasons pets should never be presents.  The list is a long one, but here, I’ll boil it down to a nice, short, top three.

Top 3 Reasons Not to Give Pets as Presents

1. Pets are living, breathing creatures.  Depending on what kind of pet, the pet could be alive from 2 – 40 years.  Yes, that is a long time.  Forcing that kind of commitment on someone is not fair, kind, or, a good gift giving policy. 

2. Your pet choice may not be what your recipient wanted.  Picking a pet is a very personal thing, and just because you the pet, doesn’t mean your recipient will.  Do you know how many animals, bought at pet stores, from breeders, or “saved” from shelters end up abandoned, relinquished, or returned?  The ASPCA says approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats) in our country, but I will tell you, many were simply killed, due to lack of space or time.

3. Pets are expensive.  Yearly maintenance for a pet of virtually any size can be over $1,000, with costs on the rise.  While they aren’t as expensive as children, you also wouldn’t give a child as a present.

If you want to help someone adopt a pet, consider sponsoring their adoption costs.  Go with them to look at pets.  Wear your logical and rational hat, don’t just fall into a pair of fuzzy eyes and never look back.  Take a night or two, think it over.  Ask if you can foster to adopt.  Be prepared to answer a lot of questions.  

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[author_info]About the Author

Hi, I’m Cristin.  I have a tendency to look at most things from a weird angle and I love to solve problems. Wanna talk about pets, life, communicating, or anything in between, I’m probably your gal. Connect with me on Twitter.

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Tags: Cristin Hipke, gifts, holidays, pets

Category: Features, Pets