With the Holiday Season right around the corner and so many people on your wish list, it may be very tempting indeed to give the gift of constant companionship to someone you are close to. Perhaps you have overheard a family member or friend waxing poetic on how they would love to have a pet of their own to come home to or hog the bed covers for them.
My strong advice on the subject is to halt this idea in its tracks immediately if not sooner. Pet selection and timing should be absolutely up to an individual or family and not something that is forced upon them through gifting.
My strong advice on the subject is to halt this idea in its tracks immediately if not sooner. Pet selection and timing should be absolutely up to an individual or family and not something that is forced upon them through gifting.
When selecting a pet to love and cherish for all eternity, there are criteria that only the future pet parent are aware of and chances are slim that a third party will accurately assess the needs of the potential adopter. Needless to say, there is also the factor of the connection that is felt between the adopter and adoptee. This intangible connection is a vital part of the adoption process and is as inexplicable as falling in love is!
The only circumstance where I would advocate the gifting of an animal to another person is when it involves a parent to their minor child and where the parent assumes ALL responsibility for the care and welfare of the new family member.
broadwaybarks.wordpress.com advises that 50% of animals given as gifts will either be returned, abandoned or, placed in an animal shelter within 3 months of the Holiday Season. Without a doubt this is not the end result desired when gifting an animal. Try to imagine from the other side of the fence for a moment what it would be like to find a happy home, only to be ripped away from it through no fault of your own. Being accepted into a family only to be turned over to a shelter or dumped on the side of a road somewhere is not a situation that any animal deserves.
The only circumstance where I would advocate the gifting of an animal to another person is when it involves a parent to their minor child and where the parent assumes ALL responsibility for the care and welfare of the new family member.
broadwaybarks.wordpress.com advises that 50% of animals given as gifts will either be returned, abandoned or, placed in an animal shelter within 3 months of the Holiday Season. Without a doubt this is not the end result desired when gifting an animal. Try to imagine from the other side of the fence for a moment what it would be like to find a happy home, only to be ripped away from it through no fault of your own. Being accepted into a family only to be turned over to a shelter or dumped on the side of a road somewhere is not a situation that any animal deserves.
Of course there are instances of animals being re-homed but this again is not an ideal situation. Being handed from family to family can decrease the ability to trust and increase unwanted behaviors in an animal. Being in a home where they feel unwanted and unloved is not good for the gifted pet either.
Animals are highly intuitive and will pick up on negative emotions whether they are expressed verbally or not. If you or someone you know is considering gifting an animal this Holiday Season, why not start small with a stuffed Teddy or create an I OWE U voucher that offers to cover an adoption fee when the time is right? Another great option is to donate to a rescue, shelter or, animal charity on behalf of your friend or family member.
In the interest of ensuring that an adoptive home is a FOREVER home, please do your homework on the long term impact of gifting an adorable wriggling puppy or warm fluffy kitten this Holiday Season.
Animals are highly intuitive and will pick up on negative emotions whether they are expressed verbally or not. If you or someone you know is considering gifting an animal this Holiday Season, why not start small with a stuffed Teddy or create an I OWE U voucher that offers to cover an adoption fee when the time is right? Another great option is to donate to a rescue, shelter or, animal charity on behalf of your friend or family member.
In the interest of ensuring that an adoptive home is a FOREVER home, please do your homework on the long term impact of gifting an adorable wriggling puppy or warm fluffy kitten this Holiday Season.
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