Pets as Gifts

It's tempting, when wracking one's brains for the perfect gift idea, to settle on buying a pet for the animal lovers on your list. However, buying pets as gifts, unless it is for someone you know extremely well and has expressed an interest in a particular animal, should be avoided.

The important thing to remember is that although your great aunt Mildred might own a hundred porcelain figurines shaped like cats, it does not necessarily follow that she is willing or able to care for the genuine article. Perhaps her arthritis would make it difficult for her to groom the cat, or she spends too much time at quilting bees to be a proper companion to an animal. Buying or adopting a pet is a lifestyle change. It's an addition to the family, and only the pet's future owner can decide if he or she is prepared to devote time, effort and affection to an animal. It's not necessarily a better present choice than a gift certificate for laser hair removal or a weekend away in the country to unwind.

Even if your chosen recipient has expressed a desire to own a gerbil or a dog or a six-thousand litre aquarium, decorations and all, that still does not mean you should buy them one for their birthday. Pets are like people. Even the smallest and simplest creature has a personality and habits unique to itself, so it's important that the pet's owner be the one selecting the animal. This ensures that pet and person are a good match for one another and will get along in their future life. For instance, great aunt Mildred might not appreciate it if the cat you chose liked to jump up on her shelves and knock down her precious figurines.

The simple fact of the matter is that while your garish purple-striped sweater gift can be donated to charity once you've left the room, unsuitable or unwanted pets end up in crammed into shelters or out on the street, and that's no life for anyone - even a pet. So if you're up to your ears in work trying to get funding with an SRED tax credit, or something else, don't think that a pet is a simple gift that will necessarily make the recipient leap for joy.