Should Pets Be Gifts?

If you are reading this blog there is a good chance that you think pets are an important part of life. And who doesn’t want to share that joy with someone else? We surround ourselves with our loving pets, they make our days happier and ease the stress of the not-so-good days. We reap the benefits of being an animal parent and couldn’t imagine life without our beloved pets by our side. Now someone you love is wanting a pet and thinks they are ready. They have asked you to keep an eye out for just the right pet and then you find the perfect fit for your loved one. Why not surprise them and give them the pet of their dreams as a gift?!

And STOP!

You love pets. And you love the person looking for a new family member. How could this go wrong?

There are several things to consider when wanting to gift a pet. Below is a link to an article that lays out some of the key points to consider when wanting to give someone a pet. Please take time to read or even share the article with someone that is considering giving a pet as a gift.

With the holidays around the corner, we want to make our family and friends feel loved by giving them the gifts that they ask for and to make the holidays that more special. But a pet is so much more than an item that you think you might want. An animal, not the sweater that goes out of style next year and becomes the new ugly Christmas sweater next year. They are not the newest gadget that will make your life easier in 4 easy steps. Or the answer to why getting healthy this year is going to work.

Pets are a lifetime commitment. The average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 13 years. Cats can live up to 16 years old or even longer. Even goldfish have a life span of 10-15 years if housed correctly! So, getting caught up in holiday giving can affect the receiver for many years to come. Even worse, could result in having to rehome the animal or surrender to it a shelter.

Giving the pet vet care in order for it to live a long healthy life can be more than most new pet owner bargain or budget for. The average cost of owning a dog is $480 on the low end to the possibility of $3,470 per year on the high end. According to the ASPCA you can plan on spending around $634 annually on your cat. Of course, the goldfish is a bit more cost-effective than expecting someone else to maintain the health of their pet. For goldfish, you are looking at around $70 to set up and maintain a goldfish’s home.

If you are considering giving a pet as a gift, please make sure the recipient has a plan in place to receive such a valuable gift. Also plan on being a part of the plan because you have done the research and taken everything into consideration before making this big decision.

With the holidays around the corner, we want to make our family and friends feel loved by giving them the gifts they ask for and making the holidays more special. But a pet is so much more than an item that you think you might want. An animal, not the sweater that goes out of style next year and becomes the new ugly Christmas sweater next year. They are not the newest gadget that will make your life easier in 4 easy steps. Or the answer to why getting healthy this year is going to work.