Giving Puppies as Presents: What to Think about When Gifting a Pet

By Janelle Leeson

Melanie DeFazio / Stocksy
Heartwarming movies of individuals receiving puppies as shock presents often make their approach round TikTok and Instagram, and it’s arduous to not be moved by the glad tears and joyful reactions. However charming although these movies could also be, they typically don’t reveal whether or not or not these puppies got with cautious consideration. Puppies require loads of time, consideration, and care, so the individual gifting a pet should be sure that the recipient is ready for the accountability.

The recipient’s way of life, expertise with pets, and dwelling scenario ought to all be taken under consideration when gifting a pet. Failing to take action can have severe penalties: Annually, round 3.9 million canine find yourself in U.S. animal shelters, and 20 p.c of these canine are there as a result of their households didn’t have the time or sources to take care of a pet. Whereas the recipient of a pet as a present will possible love their canine, they will not be in the most effective scenario to provide their pet the care they want.

So, earlier than you set a pet below the Christmas tree, take time to think about whether or not giving a canine as a present is the correct selection for the meant recipient.

Do pets make good presents? 

The query of whether or not pets make good presents is a fancy one. Some shelters and rescues don’t permit folks to undertake pets to provide away as presents except they’re gifting to somebody inside their family, like a father or mother for his or her baby, with the father or mother remaining answerable for the pet’s care. Some shelters don’t have restrictions in any respect on the “switch of possession” as soon as a pet is adopted, so it’s as much as the adopter to make the most effective determination for the pet and for the individual to whom they’re gifting the pet.

Inquiries to ask earlier than gifting a pet

Earlier than you determine to provide a cherished one a pet as a present, take time to search out out if their way of life is true for a canine — or in the event that they even need one proper now — by asking the next questions:

• Is the recipient ready and prepared to decide to 10 to fifteen years of caring for a canine? 
• Does the recipient have an allergy to pet dander?
• Does the recipient do business from home or have a job that permits them to correctly take care of a pet? 
• Does the recipient stay in an condo or rental, and in that case, does their lease permit pets? 

In case you don’t know the solutions to those questions, it is best to most likely keep away from giving a pet as a present, no less than not with out speaking to the recipient first. Think about taking your beloved to go to a shelter as a substitute to spend time with canine and puppies with out committing to the long-term care of a pet. You may also give the recipient a present certificates to a shelter or rescue group to allow them to make the most effective determination for themselves.

What ought to I take into account earlier than gifting a pet?

A pet is greater than a cute bundle of fur (though they’re undoubtedly that, too!). That lovely pet will want coaching, common vet visits, vaccinations, meals, and quite a few provides to remain glad and wholesome all through their life. Some of the essential issues to know earlier than gifting a pet (or adopting one your self) is {that a} canine is a 10-to-15-year dedication. That’s a present with loads of strings hooked up and one which requires cautious thought and planning.

Selecting the right pet

If you’re giving a pet as a present to somebody in your family, be sure the recipient has mentioned they’re able to make a lifelong dedication to caring for a pet, not that you simply simply assume they need a pet. As a substitute of gifting a pet, take into account gifting the adoption payment and let the recipient take part within the choice course of. You could discover that bounding Labrador adolescent lovely, however your mother may even see an enormous time and train dedication (to not point out a severe shoe-destruction danger) and actually need to undertake a calmer, likely-past-the-worst-chewing-stage grownup canine (or perhaps a cat). So, before you purchase a canine as a present, take into account the recipient’s way of life and wishes, in addition to what they need in a pet — or whether or not they need a pet in any respect.

Easy methods to give a gift-wrapped pet

Earlier than you begin pondering of artistic methods to provide a pet as a present, take into account a less complicated strategy. We’ve seen sensible shelters supply pet adoption present certificates, which the gifter can wrap in a field with a stuffed animal to place below the tree. You’ll be able to even embrace a card providing to go together with them to the shelter or rescue to pick a pet to undertake. 

Gifting pets to youngsters

Whereas deciding to get a pet for teenagers is a good way to place smiles on youngsters’s faces, it requires loads of thought and dialogue beforehand. Mother and father or different relations ought to know that youngsters or youngsters might promise they are going to be absolutely answerable for a pet’s care, however they might not understand the effort and time concerned. Present-givers ought to talk about pet adoption intimately and ensure a resident grownup is prepared to take full accountability for the pet getting the train, coaching, feeding, and vet care they want — for the pet’s total life. 

Timing is all the things

Holidays are sometimes chaotic, with family and friends visiting, frequent journey, and weird work schedules. If this appears like the house the place you might be gifting the pet, we advise ready till the pet’s new dwelling calms down first, so everybody can have the time to provide the pet the eye and common routine they should settle in. Maybe give pet provides because the precise vacation presents — like a brand new leash and collar, a pet mattress, or a lot of toys — and let the recipient know that your present consists of the adoption payment for the pet of their selection after the vacation frenzy has handed.

FAQs (Individuals Additionally Ask)

Is it a good suggestion to provide a pet as a present?

It’s typically not a good suggestion to provide a pet as a present to anybody exterior your fast household. Mother and father may give a pet to their children or companion, however solely after an in depth dialogue concerning the accountability concerned.  

Ought to I shock somebody with a pet?

A pet ought to by no means be a shock. As a substitute, supply to take your beloved to a shelter or adoption company and pay the adoption payment for his or her new pet. This permits them to decide on the pet they need and put together for the dedication of pet parenthood. 

What if the recipient can’t preserve the pet?

If the recipient can’t preserve a gifted pet, they’ll possible should be rehomed or returned to the shelter or rescue, which could be traumatizing for the canine. It’s essential to find out if the recipient can put money into pet parenthood beforehand.

References

Better of Adopting a Cat, Better of Adopting a Canine, Better of Adopting Different Pets |