Giving Pets as Gifts

For the holidays or a birthday, it can be tempting to give a cute, cuddly pet as a gift. Yet along with the precious purr that won't quit or the fluffy tail that never stops wagging, there comes a commitment to another life for the next 10, 15, even 20 years.

No one wants to give an unwanted gift -- especially a vulnerable one that lives and breathes. If you're thinking about giving a pet as a gift, the experts offer these tips to help you make sure that that gift is actually a good idea.

1. Give friends and family a pet as a gift -- but never as a surprise. Pets are a wonderful addition to life, Owner has to have the time, energy, money, or interest in having a pet.

2. Pay the pet's adoption fees. Once you know your recipient wants a pet, tell them you'll pay the shelter's adoption fees for them in advance. If ultimately they decide against adopting a pet, you'll have made a much-needed donation to a shelter in their name. <Adopt a dog>

3. Give pet as gift to immediate family only. Sometimes a friend might accept a pet as a gift because they just don't know how to say no. That's one reason Arms suggests giving pets as gifts only to your immediate family -- husband, wife, or kids.