Alternatives to Giving Pets as Holiday Gifts

Pets can really brighten up a home and a heart but only if you are truly ready to take care of an animal and many people don't really understand how much work an animal really is. Around the holidays, there is an overflow of people buying animals to give as gifts and it is really a bad idea. Getting a pet is a really personal decision and when someone isn't actually ready to take care of a pet they end up back at the animal shelters or out on the street.

If you have been thinking of giving someone a pet as a gift for the holidays, you might want to rethink your decision. First, think of who you would be giving a pet to and ask yourself if they would be able to take care of it or if someone else in the family would be doing the care. If it's no, there is your answer right there. A pet needs a forever home, not being shuffled around trying to find a new one when the person you got it for can't take care of it properly.

This article will give you a few suggestions on alternatives to giving pets as holiday gifts. Even if a child really wants an animal, wait a little while. They may not understand the concept of how much work is involved.

#1: Stuffed Animal

It's true that a stuffed animal is not quite the same as a real pet but stuffed animals are cute and cuddly and can still be appreciated by someone who wanted a pet for the holidays. If you know the kind of pet the person wanted, try to get a stuffed animal of that pet. For example, if they wanted a cat, get them a stuffed animal that is a cat.

They also have stuffed animals that are a little more lifelike that have movements and make noises. For a younger child, this may be a suitable replacement for a pet.

#2: Book on Animals

A book on animals is another alternative gift idea that can be a replacement for an actual pet. Get them a book on an animal they like. Give them a couple of books about the pet and make one volume be on pet care so that they can prepare themselves for the future.

#3: Adoption Certificate

If you don't want to get someone an actual pet, go to the animal shelter and buy a certificate for the person to pick out their own pet. This is better then actually getting them a pet because it will allow them to pick and bond with an animal of their choosing plus they can hold onto the certificate for a while (check for expiration dates) before making the leap of getting a pet.

#4: Zoo Membership

Instead of giving the gift of a pet to keep at home, give the gift of taking the person to the animal's home instead. A zoo membership is ideal for a pet lover because it lets them go see different types of animals as many times as their membership permits. At the end of the day, they go home and don't have to worry about cleaning up a pet.

#5: Arrange a Internship with an Animal Shelter

If you have a child that is old enough to volunteer at an animal shelter, inquire about signing them up. Several animal shelters across the world have shelters that will allow teen volunteers and even kids who volunteer with their parents. This will allow your child to help out for a good cause and get hands on experience with pets. After they see how much work a pet is, they may not want one and if they do, they'll have the experience to go along with their new pet.

Sources:

AZ Humane: http://www.azhumane.org/artman2/uploads/1/120208PetsasGifts.pdf

About.com: http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa113000a.htm