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People love pets and gifts so a pet as a Christmas gift seems like the perfect mix for making someone’s entire year. But don’t give in to your kids’ wishes to have a pet for Christmas just yet. Pets are a massive commitment (duh) and even the “simplest” pets to gift aren’t as simple as you may think at first. Small dogs can be wildly different from each other in terms of trainability and supposedly low-maintenance aquarium fish may only be low-maintenance for enthusiasts, not the average person who’s never maintained a tank before.
So how do you actually give a pet as a Christmas gift the right way? And should you even gift a pet for Christmas at all? Here’s an overview of the stats on giving animals as Christmas gifts, why you may want to rethink doing it, how to do it right if you decide to push through, and alternatives if your gift receiver just doesn’t have the time and energy for this level of commitment.
Pets That Are Gifted End up Neglected
It’s no secret nor surprise that most pets that are given as gifts during the holidays end up neglected, at shelters, or caught between an owner and breeder who both don’t want them.
According to the ASPCA, the majority of pets you’ll find in shelters are dogs and cats. Out of 6.3 million animals that end up in shelters all throughout the U.S. each year, dogs make up 3.1 million while cats make up 3.2 million, leaving very little room for any other kind of pet. Nearly a million of these animals are euthanized each year even as numbers decline due to an increase in pro-adoption awareness. Whichever way you cut it, though, the bottom line is that millions of animals are abandoned each year and with no designated government body to keep track of them, there may be thousands more that slip through the cracks unnoticed.
Winnie Lau, a co-founder of Calm Canine Academy, says, “There are unfortunately no studies on the subject matter yet, but based on anecdotal information and research, shelters report hundreds of animals surrendered to the shelter after the holiday season. These animals most often consist of dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, and various types of reptiles.”
It’s not a one-time anecdotal experience either. Many people who are professionally involved in animal care and rescue note that there’s an increase in animals ending up at shelters during the first three months or so after Christmas. Aaron Fisher, founder of Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe, told us, “Sadly, we see this all the time; best case, the pets are re-homed or surrendered to a local shelter; worst case (which we see), animals are abandoned.”
Rethinking Pets as a Christmas Gift
Pets may seem like adorable gift options but even the most low-maintenance pets have specific care needs that a new owner, especially someone who has never taken care of a pet before, might find too difficult or stressful to deal with. Betta fish, a freshwater fish originating from Southeast Asia, are often subjected to neglectful and even cruel treatment by retail stores like Petco and by underinformed owners who see these little fish sold in cups and assume they must be fine in cramped tanks.
In reality, these beautiful little fish thrive in larger spaces and, depending on where you’re located, require a heater to keep their water temperatures stable and close to what they would prefer in the wild.
Birds don’t get much simpler either. Like with fish, people tend to underestimate how much space they need which leads to situations where a pet bird doesn’t have enough room to fly around their cage. Don’t even think of getting a parrot. Those birds can live for up to 60 years or more depending on the breed and level of care they get. Clearly more than what your relative or friend bargained for if that’s what you’re planning to get them for Christmas. And if it’s your kid? Tough luck because more likely than not, you’re the one taking care of that animal.
The Right Way to Give a Pet as a Christmas Gift
Aside from the (hopefully) obvious part where you don’t keep them in an unventilated box while waiting to be opened, giving pets as a Christmas gift can be done well if you ask the right questions.
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Amanda Takiguchi, a veterinarian, says animals should generally never be given as a Christmas gift if it’s a surprise, “Owning/receiving a pet is a very serious undertaking, where you are responsible for a life, so it is actually a very bad idea to ‘surprise someone with a pet. Having a pet, especially one like a dog, horse, cat, etc. is pretty much like having a new baby.”
If you’ve taken care of a baby animal before, you’ve likely noticed it yourself. The first few months of a puppy’s life are just them figuring out what is and isn’t acceptable behavior in your household and learning how to wait for walks and meals. Our responses to a young animal’s behavior shape them as they grow older.
“Just like having a baby you will be responsible for all aspects of its life – feeding, cleaning, medical checks, and inoculations, having all the right equipment, giving emotional and physical comfort, clean and aired living space, plus some pets will require additional insurance, and license, and microchipping.” Takiguchi added.
So the critical question is: Is your pet receiver ready to do all that?
Make sure the would-be owner is ready
As tempting as it is to buy a pet as a gift to make a loved one happy, keep in mind that this involves the well-being of another living creature. Is your recipient mature enough not to throw a hissy fit when the animal does not behave the way they want it to? The answer to this question can make the difference between a pet that’s neglected and a pet that’s abused.
Second, can their lifestyle accommodate this responsibility? A pet isn’t the best gift for a workaholic who lives alone or a constant traveler. Pets require socialization and constant upkeep. A dog needs to be walked, a fish needs its aquarium water changed, and cats, despite their aloof reputation, also need their pats. An owner whose lifestyle can’t accommodate an animal’s needs isn’t someone you should be giving pets for Christmas to.
Third, even if your pet receiver’s lifestyle and mindset are ready for a pet, their home space may not be. Most big animals won’t thrive in tiny apartments unless they’re constantly being brought out for exercise.
Pick a pet that’s easy to take care of and keep up with
Not all pets are made equal even if they do deserve to receive equal love. It’s not uncommon to see people buy “smarter” animals as pets, assuming that the animals will be easy to teach. While it’s certainly correct, these smart animals also tend to be more willful and have higher energy, especially if they’re working breeds.
“Herding breeds like Border Collie…are among the smartest dog breeds. But they are also among the most stubborn, and they have tons of energy.” Mishkov explained, “People [also] love [huskies] for their blue eyes, but a husky puppy is hyperactive, stubborn, hard to train, and prone to running away.”
Some animals may also prefer to be part of a group. Certain birds and fish do best in pairs or in small schools that require larger enclosures and more attention to make sure that their environment is kept clean and within recommended parameters.
Alternatives to Giving Pets as a Gift
“We don’t recommend any animals as Christmas gifts. Instead, we recommend donating to a local shelter/cause in someone’s honor, perhaps even sponsoring the adoption fee for a shelter pet in celebration of the gift recipient.” Fisher said, “Also, if you live with the gift recipient, perhaps consider fostering an animal from a local shelter together to see how the experience goes; if it works out, you can always adopt that pet.”
