Sometimes Fur Isn’T The Perfect Gift

So you’re thinking of getting someone a pet for Christmas.

Fine. In the right circumstances, there’s no better gift. And Spokane area animal shelters almost certainly have the perfect cat or dog.

But before following through on such a plan, you’ll want to ask yourself a few key questions:

Do you understand how much time and energy responsible pet ownership requires?

Does the intended recipient?

Have you given one second’s thought to anything beyond the “Awww, he’s so cuuuuuute” moment?

Are you hoping you will be rewarded for your gift?

How will you feel if the pet winds up back on death row at the pound?

Have you considered how the new animal will interact with other pets already on the scene?

What is the intended gift recipient’s history with pets?

Are you certain this isn’t going to pose allergy problems for someone?

Do you know how much it costs to own a pet?

Does the intended recipient of this gift understand that sometimes animals exhibit problem behaviors?

Will you be around to help with the care and feeding?

Have you ever owned a pet?

If the intended recipient is a child who does not live with you, have you cleared this plan with the appropriate parents or guardians?

Are you mostly focusing on making yourself a Christmas hero instead of finding the right gift for the right person?

Does the intended recipient have a big enough yard?

Will the intended recipient turn his or her back on the gift cat if it scratches someone one time?

Will the intended recipient ever consider driving with the dog in the back of an open pickup?

Would this gift exacerbate jealousies and sibling rivalries?

Have you thought about how big the animal will be when fully grown?

Can the family in question afford vet bills?

Does the intended recipient realize that young dogs can’t be expected to just sit and watch TV all day?

Does the intended recipient understand that cats have their own schedules when it comes to demonstrating affection?

Does the intended recipient live alone and travel so much that pet ownership doesn’t make sense?

Are you perhaps inappropriately taking it upon yourself to fill the void left by a pet that died?

Have you thought about the fact that this gift could be around for, say, 10-15 years?

Even if you are comfortable with your answers to those questions, shouldn’t you really wait for a time that’s less hectic than Christmas?