No Animals as Presents - Please!

(2006-11-23)

The SPCA movement opposes animals as gifts.

“We’re talking about so-called surprise gifts. Pets should not be given as presents and we appeal to people not to do so,” says Christine Kuch, spokesperson for the National Council of SPCAs.

Encouraging anyone to give a live animal as a gift is irresponsible. It is not fair to the animal and not fair to the recipient.

There are long-term and far-reaching responsibilities with any pet adoption and it is important that the adopter knows what he or she is letting him or herself in for. This includes a lifetime commitment to the animal and involves welfare issues and well as financial considerations. Does the person have adequate facilities and will the person have the time, financial means and level of interest to care for the animal to ensure a satisfactory standard of care and husbandry – for the pet’s entire life?

“We have seen the consequences of what the SPCA refers to as “impulse buying” of pets. These include for example the buying of a puppy for a friend or relative without consulting them. Cases can be cited of these pets being either handed over to other people, taken to an SPCA or being kept despite not really being wanted.”

”It’s no good saying that someone once expressed the wish to have a kitten, puppy or whatever. Pets are for life, not novelties for a season. If someone really has made a firm decision to adopt a pet, then choosing the animal is part of the process. Personalities even within litters can be so varied and deciding whether you wish to adopt the shy, the affectionate, the playful, the bold or the beautiful animal is a decision that should be made by the adopter.”

The plea of the SPCA movement is therefore “Don’t give animals as gifts.”