Once the novelty has worn off, it can result in pets being sent to shelters, or worse. Photo / Alice Tiffany
Once the novelty has worn off, it can result in pets being sent to shelters, or worse. Photo / Alice Tiffany
With Christmas coming up, lots of people are still looking for gifts to give to their loved ones. Pets are often put under the Christmas tree, however they are not the ideal Christmas present.
Pet insurance provider PD Insurance says animals are a commitment of more than a decade and a not-inconsiderable cost to their owner.
PD Insurance head of NZ operations, Michelle Le Long, says: "Our advice is to not give a pet as a gift unless you're sure the receiver can provide the care the animal deserves. Once the novelty has worn off, it can and does result in pets being sent to shelters, or even worse."
Helping you help animals (HUHA) charitable trust says it receives almost 100 calls per month from Kiwis wanting help from the shelter because they need to give up a pet.
Especially after Christmas, this number is rising as people realise the amount of additional costs and extent of commitment.
So, giving a pet to someone unprepared and unable to put in the time, money and effort to fully experience the joy of having a pet can have severe consequences for the animal.
People busting to give someone a pet should consider giving a gift voucher from an animal shelter instead. Photo / Alice Tiffany
HUHA founder Carolyn Press McKenzie says: "People busting to give someone a pet should consider giving a gift voucher from an animal shelter instead. Any good shelter will refund them if the gift recipient realises they're not ready to own a pet after being taken through the adoption process."
If people are still considering to gift an actual pet, they should make sure the animal will receive the love and care they need. With tens of thousands of abandoned animals going into shelters every year, they might want to think about getting a pet from there.
Bringing the animals into a caring family is one of the greatest presents you can give - to the recipient and to the pet.
To make sure, the person you are gifting the animal to is prepared, there are a range of things to consider, like the costs, commitment and change of lifestyle for the new owner.
Things to consider
1. Pets are for life Expect cats and dogs to be part of the family for the better part of 20 years. As a gift, pets not only keep giving, they keep taking. The give and take lasts a long time.
2. Pets need training and care Dogs and cats are not toys; they have a mind of their own. Dogs need substantial training and regular exercise, and both cats and dogs need plenty of affection and attention. If the recipient of the pet isn't prepared to make the effort, the pet will suffer.
3. Pets cost money Just like humans need a doctor's visit every so often, so do pets. In an emergency, such costs can skyrocket. And costs are significant even when vet bills aren't taken into account. Recent PD Insurance research shows the most common spend on pets each year, excluding vet bills - food, toys, boarding, grooming, etc - is $500-$1000 (34 per cent of respondents), followed by less than $500 (28 per cent) then $1000-$2500 (24 per cent). Multiply those annual costs by 20 then add vet bills - which are significantly higher if an owner doesn't have pet insurance - and the lifetime cost of a pet becomes clearer.
4. Expect lifestyle changes Did we mention pets need attention? This means the lifestyle of a new pet owner will change. "We call our pets fur babies for a reason because, just like children, they need care. That includes no more spur-of-the-moment shooting away for a weekend. First, book a sitter or place at the kennels or cattery. And bring a wallet.
5. Renting? Pets just made it harder If you give a pet to a person who rents, it could make life a whole lot harder for them. Most rentals have a "no pets" policy. Finding accommodation is harder for pet owners; bear this in mind before considering gifting a pet.
6. Fluffy wants a brush Part of the reason landlords don't like pets is because they can be messy. Pet owners know grooming and cleaning up after their fur baby is part of the deal. Does the potential recipient of a gifted pet know what's required? And are they prepared to take on the work as well as the love and cuddles?
7. Not to be sneezed at Plenty of folks have allergies. Some to cats and dogs. Even if they're not the direct recipient of a gifted pet, others in the household could get the sniffles or more. Be aware of this reality. It could adversely affect home harmony.
8. Getting the snip Most pets are desexed. Many animals can be a handful if not and unexpected litters can make life very difficult – another factor to bear in mind if the idea of a pet present crosses your mind. Perhaps consider getting it desexed before putting a big red bow on.
9. If you absolutely insist … Of course, all these reasons might pass muster for someone who really wants a pup or kitty for Christmas and is fully aware of the level and scale of commitment. If that's the case, consider adopting a pet from a shelter like HUHA. Many fur babies need homes. This could be your chance to save a life, avoiding animal farms and puppy scams.
10. Don't get it wrong With tens of thousands of abandoned animals going into shelters every year, the truly sad thing is that some started life as a gifted pet. Bringing them into a caring family is one of the greatest presents you can give - to the recipient and to the pet. However, giving a pet to someone unprepared to put in the time, money and effort to fully experience the joy of a fur baby can have severe consequences for the animal. Be sure your gift will receive ample love and care, and it will no doubt give the same in return.
