Should You Give a Pet as a Gift?

Last Updated on May 31, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin

It’s the holiday moment everyone wants their kids to remember. The little kitten with the big pink bow curled up under the tree. Or the puppy jumping out of a box to lick their face.  But is it a good idea to give a pet as a Christmas gift? It can be, if you do it correctly.

What to Consider Before Giving a Pet as a Gift

These are not stuffed animals. Cats live 15-20 years. They are a lifetime commitment. What happens when Susie goes to college and the dorm won’t take pets? What are you going to do if Bobby ends up in travel soccer and you’re on the road every weekend? If Dad retires and you can finally do all that traveling you planned, or downsize the home?

There are a lot of things to think about when taking on a pet. It is important to consider the following things before you gift someone a furry friend.

Does Your Recipient Actually Want a Pet? 

You might feel your grandma is lonely and a kitten would be the perfect companion. But what does Grandma think? She might be thrilled to be free to travel without anyone tying her down. 

You might love the idea of your child having the responsibility for taking care of a pet, but is the child ready for that responsibility? What happens to the pet if he’s not? 

Ultimately you, the parent, are responsible for the well being of that pet. So if Susie doesn’t clean her kitten’s litter box, you have to do it. If Bobby doesn’t feed his rabbit, it’s on you to make sure the rabbit has food. And someone is going to have to train that puppy. Is it going to be you?

All the adults in the home should agree on the type of pet they want. They must decide exactly how they are going to handle the responsibilities involved in providing the pet with the life it deserves.

You have to have everyone on the same page so someone doesn’t end up with responsibilities they don’t want. Or a pet that ends up being surrendered because someone “lost interest” when the fun of a kitten doesn’t outweigh the litter box detail.

Grandma and Grandpa need to be sure that mom and dad are okay with it before they give Susie or Bobby a pet, even a fish, because it is going to be the parents, not the grandparents, backing up those kids.

Does the potential family have the time and resources to care for the pet?

Pets come with costs. Financial costs, time costs, and emotional costs. A new kitten can cost up to $1000 before you are done with adoption or purchase fees, vetting, spay-neutering, and supplies. Or do you plan to cover the cost as part of your gift?

What about the ongoing costs and potential emergencies? Is the pet’s potential new family in a position to feed and care for the pet as it deserves?  

What about space and time? Do they have the time to train the pet to be the best it can be? Can your family member put up cat trees and shelves and enrich the space for the kitten as it grows? 

Is their living situation stable? It is getting harder to find an apartment that will accept pets. You don’t want to add stress to an unstable situation by adding a pet that will make it more difficult.

What if they get a girl/boyfriend that hates cats or is allergic? Is there likely to be a new baby in the picture? Consider if a pet would fit in.

Make Sure Your Gift Will Match Their Lifestyle

Is a baby kitten right for Grandpa? Perhaps a cuddly senior cat is a better choice. Is your sister going to be at work all the time? If you want to give her a pet, maybe she needs a pair of littermates to keep each other company. A house full of kids is going to need a well-socialized pet. A single person could be a great option for a shy cat.

You’ll need to make different choices if your recipient lives in an apartment in the city versus a rural home with a big yard. 

You need to take the time to understand breeds and temperament if you are going to give a pet as a gift. Not everyone is prepared for the voice of the Siamese, the energy of an Ocicat, the attitude of a Tortoiseshell, or the grooming needs of the Persian.

Is the Timing Right?

Are the holidays the right time to adopt a new pet? Is your house is going to be full of visitors, noise, and excitement? Are you traveling?

Keep in mind that your new kitten has already been through an anxious time. While it is exciting for you and your family, for the kitten it is nerve-wracking. She needs quiet, time, and security to make the adjustment to her new home.

The holidays aren’t a great time to try to establish a bond with your new cat. Especially if you are trying to introduce him to other family pets. 

It might be better to get your new kitten in advance or wait until after the holidays to bring your new feline friend home. Most breeders prefer that a new kitten not be introduced into a strange household during the rush and excitement of Christmas.

On the other hand, if the holiday means the person has a lot of time off work or school then it might be the perfect time to blend a new pet into the family.

Would They Want to Choose Their Own?

Giving a pet for Christmas also takes away the chance for someone to select their own new friend.

The Christmas morning moment might be magic, but so is seeing the face of your recipient when they make eye contact with that one perfect furball out of all the cats available at the shelter or a cattery.

ASPCA Okays Pets As Gifts

All of this sounds like we shouldn’t consider giving a pet as a gift. Don’t the shelters fill up with all these cast-off gifted pets? You’d think so. But the ASPCA did a study that shows quite the reverse.  

According to their survey, 96% of people who received pets as gifts thought it either increased or did not impact their attachment to their pet, whether it was a surprise or not. The large majority of the pets are still in the home. Previous studies have shown that pets received as gifts are less likely to be surrendered. 

The ASPCA has changed their stance on giving pets as gifts. Christa Chadwick, CAWA Vice President of Shelter Services for the ASPCA says “We think it’s perfectly cool and okay to give pets as gifts as long as you have an understanding that the person you’re giving the pet to has an interest in owning one.”  

They also recommend that pets be obtained from animal shelters, rescue organizations, friends, family or responsible breeders—not from places where the source of the animal is unknown or untrusted. (Source)

How to Give Someone a Pet for Christmas

There are ways to give someone a pet as a gift and still let them pick out their pet on their own.

• We used to love putting together starter kits for pets when I worked in pet retail. Put together a kit of all the things the new pet will need. Add a stuffed animal version of the pet and a gift certificate covering the cost of the adoption fees.
• Place a leash and collar in a stocking or gift bag. When the recipient finds it, let them know that they can use it when you go to the shelter to pick out their new furry friend. 
• Wrap a book on the care and training of their new pet with a gift certificate for the adoption fees.

If you don’t act on impulse and have considered all the factors, giving the gift of a pet can be as magical as you expect.