Furry friends bring joy to many, but gifting them can come with unintended consequences.
We all know someone who lights up at the sight of a dog on a walk or stops to pet every community cat along the way (subject to the cat’s approval, of course). They may often talk about wanting a pet of their own, though they have not made the commitment yet.
We might, out of goodwill, be tempted to give our friend a “helpful” nudge into pawrenthood by gifting them a pet. But this gift comes with massive strings attached, as not every recipient is prepared for it.
Our Pets Lives Are in Our Hands
Pet ownership is a huge responsibility when you consider that dogs live an average of 10–15 years and cats can enjoy a good 15–20 years if properly cared for. While small animals like rabbits and hamsters have shorter lifespans, their fragility means that they demand similar commitment, just in a different way.
For the recipient of the pet, the novelty eventually wears off, leaving them to face the lifelong commitment… or a “lifetime sentence” if they are not ready to adjust at least some aspects of their life to make room for pet care. Even if they seem ready now, it is impossible to guarantee that their circumstances and priorities will stay the same tomorrow.
Good Intentions, Unintended Consequences
There are many ways that gifting a pet could turn out badly:
Children are common recipients of pets as gifts but they often lack the maturity needed for responsible care.
This includes knowing how to interact respectfully and safely with animals or to identify signs of poor health that warrant medical attention. Without close adult supervision, the animal and/or child could be adversely affected. Furthermore, many small animals require gentle and precise handling which children may not yet be capable of providing. Children may also lose interest in their pets over time, leaving the responsibility to others.
Here are some heartbreaking reasons that owners have cited when asking to surrender their pets to the SPCA in the past year:
- “Two were given by my friends but after taking care for several months my kids don’t like it.”
- “My kid has outgrown the stage and no one takes care of it at the moment.”
People may prefer to choose their own pets, as the connection they form with a particular animal is more meaningful than simply receiving any pet as a gift.
Like humans, each animal has their own unique personalities and quirks. Some people want an energetic pet who can match their appetite for outdoor adventures. Others may prefer a mellow companion to enjoy an unhurried life with. Still others would rather adopt an animal who has been passed over by others, so that they make a greater difference.
While we can certainly form strong attachments to pets even if we did not choose them, the act of making an informed choice may encourage stronger feelings of investment towards building a life together. By gifting someone a pet, we are making that initial choice for them without playing any role in the many more years that lie ahead.
When a surprise pet is given up, this has an impact on the pet, the owner (gift recipient), and the intake shelter.
Pets who end up in shelters are often confused and frightened. Their owners may be guilt-ridden but see no other way out, given that they had not planned to welcome a pet into their life in the first place. The intake shelter, already bursting at the seams, now has one less vacancy to save another animal who may be desperately in need of help.
In processing pet surrenders at the SPCA, we get to hear from owners. Many of them feel helpless, heartbroken, and may never recover from the knowledge that they had given up a life in order to continue their own.
Considerations in Pet Ownership
Before getting a pet, prospective owners should consider:
- The fit between their entire family and the pet in terms of preferences and lifestyle
- Their ability to meet commitment levels with regard to quality time spent with the pet and financial resources, among others
- Contingency plans such as alternative accommodations for the pet if the main caregiver were to fall ill, relocate, or no longer be able to care for the pet
- Their ability to see the pet through the entire course of their life, which includes the pet growing old and developing age-related ailments
Most people are already hard-pressed to answer these questions for themselves, what more to answer them on behalf of someone else. Willingness also does not equate to ability – it is possible to have every intention to do something but lack the means to fulfil it. Unless we can guarantee the long-term wellbeing of a pet, we should never give them as gifts.
Other Options for Animal Lovers
There are plenty of ways we can show appreciation for our animal lover friends that do not involve gifting a pet. Some examples include:
- Choosing cruelty-free and eco-friendly gifts
- Buying gifts from an animal shelter such as the SPCA Singapore
- Sponsoring a shelter animal in your friend’s name
- Making a donation to an animal welfare charity in your friend’s name
- Organising a trip to an animal welfare organisation that offers visits
If you have compelling reasons to gift a pet, do consider adopting from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing the pet from a breeder.
The Bottomline
Pet ownership is a deeply rewarding experience, but only if undertaken wholeheartedly, with a long-term view, and with sound expectations of both the joys and the challenges. It should never come as a surprise, not least because the welfare of the pet (and the hapless owner) is at stake. This is a position that is shared by many animal welfare organisations worldwide, such as the ASPCA, Four Paws, and PETA.
In this season of giving, let us practise well-reasoned gifting.
December 2024