'Tis The Season
Dec. 11th, 2009 06:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyspriteAs I mentioned in my last post, the holidays are rapidly approaching. And that means that people are buying presents of all sorts and shapes and sizes. And, in my professional field, it means that it's time for my annual beating-head-against-the-wall frustration as I realize that I should have told people something over a month ago, if only they would have been listening.
Pets make lousy presents.
No, that's not stating it strongly enough. Pets make HORRIBLE presents. Do not give pets as presents. Just don't.
I know I'm most likely preaching to the choir here, but I need to get this out of my system, and who knows; maybe someone will read this who hasn't heard me rant about it half a dozen times before.
Adopting a pet is a huge commitment. You are agreeing to be responsible for another living being for its entire life. That is not something to spring on another person, even if they've told you they want it. If your offspring/significant other/roommate/best friend really wants a pet, and you want to give them one as a gift, get them a card and make a pretty little IOU certificate for One Pet Of Your Choice, to be chosen together at a time of their choosing. Not only does that mean that they get to pick out the critter they want, it means that they can do it at a time that works for them, when they have the energy and resources and space and funds to give that pet the love and care and attention that they need.
Speaking of offspring and pets - if your kid wants a pet, think hard. In particular, think about whether *you* also want that pet. I don't care how mature and responsible and reasonable your child is; no child can be counted on to take full care of a pet. I'm sure there are one or two who will actually do it, but you can't assume that any one will. No matter how much they swear and promise that they will walk that puppy every day and feed it and train it and love it, the shine will wear off in a few weeks, just like every other new toy, and then you will be the one training and feeding and petting it. And cleaning up after it pees in the house. And giving it its flea and tick medication, and taking it to the vet for its ear infections, and paying for it to be spayed or neutered.
That's another thing. Kids can't pay the vet bills. And there will be vet bills, and other expenses. Free pets aren't free. When you give a pet as a gift, you're also giving a gift of somewhere between 3 and 20 years of health care expenses. For dogs and cats, that includes vaccines, flea and tick and heartworm preventives, annual checkups, spaying/neutering, dental care, food, training, litter, toys, and a whole host of other things, but even for mice or guinea pigs or ferrets there are costs - cages, bedding, food, toys, and yes, eventually, veterinary care. Can the person you're giving the pet to commit to those expenses? If not, you're not doing them a favor by buying them a pet.
If your kids really desperately want a pet that badly, give them the gift of a day volunteering at an animal shelter. Or ask the shelter if they need foster homes for new animals - that's a way to get a pet for a little while, then pass it on when it transitions from 'exciting new toy' to 'boring source of work.' Heck - for the price of a new purebred puppy and three years of vet care, take your kids to Disney's Animal Kingdom for a long weekend and spring for the safari tickets.
And if, after all of this, you really, really, really must buy someone a pet as a holiday gift, at least go into it with your eyes open. Plan in advance. Talk to your vet - or if you don't have a vet yet, call one at random. We don't yell or bite, I promise, and we'll be much happier to work with you in advance than we will be to do damage control after the fact. Tell the vet what the situation is, and ask their advice on whether the kind of animal you want to get is a good match for the gift recipient - the ideal pet for a six-year-old is likely to be very different from the ideal pet for your 65-year-old empty nester great aunt. Ask us what to expect in expenses for the first year of the pet's life, and what sort of supplies you should have on hand when you give it, so you're not left trying to find an open store that sells litter boxes or hamster food on Christmas day. Ask us what the time commitment for the new owner is going to be.
But honestly, please, if you're thinking of buying a pet for someone as a holiday gift.... just buy them a video game system instead. It'll cost less in the long run, won't soil your rugs, and is significantly less likely to suffer and die if the giftee gets bored and stuffs it in their closet after a month or two, never to play with it again.
Pets make lousy presents.
No, that's not stating it strongly enough. Pets make HORRIBLE presents. Do not give pets as presents. Just don't.
I know I'm most likely preaching to the choir here, but I need to get this out of my system, and who knows; maybe someone will read this who hasn't heard me rant about it half a dozen times before.
Adopting a pet is a huge commitment. You are agreeing to be responsible for another living being for its entire life. That is not something to spring on another person, even if they've told you they want it. If your offspring/significant other/roommate/best friend really wants a pet, and you want to give them one as a gift, get them a card and make a pretty little IOU certificate for One Pet Of Your Choice, to be chosen together at a time of their choosing. Not only does that mean that they get to pick out the critter they want, it means that they can do it at a time that works for them, when they have the energy and resources and space and funds to give that pet the love and care and attention that they need.
Speaking of offspring and pets - if your kid wants a pet, think hard. In particular, think about whether *you* also want that pet. I don't care how mature and responsible and reasonable your child is; no child can be counted on to take full care of a pet. I'm sure there are one or two who will actually do it, but you can't assume that any one will. No matter how much they swear and promise that they will walk that puppy every day and feed it and train it and love it, the shine will wear off in a few weeks, just like every other new toy, and then you will be the one training and feeding and petting it. And cleaning up after it pees in the house. And giving it its flea and tick medication, and taking it to the vet for its ear infections, and paying for it to be spayed or neutered.
That's another thing. Kids can't pay the vet bills. And there will be vet bills, and other expenses. Free pets aren't free. When you give a pet as a gift, you're also giving a gift of somewhere between 3 and 20 years of health care expenses. For dogs and cats, that includes vaccines, flea and tick and heartworm preventives, annual checkups, spaying/neutering, dental care, food, training, litter, toys, and a whole host of other things, but even for mice or guinea pigs or ferrets there are costs - cages, bedding, food, toys, and yes, eventually, veterinary care. Can the person you're giving the pet to commit to those expenses? If not, you're not doing them a favor by buying them a pet.
If your kids really desperately want a pet that badly, give them the gift of a day volunteering at an animal shelter. Or ask the shelter if they need foster homes for new animals - that's a way to get a pet for a little while, then pass it on when it transitions from 'exciting new toy' to 'boring source of work.' Heck - for the price of a new purebred puppy and three years of vet care, take your kids to Disney's Animal Kingdom for a long weekend and spring for the safari tickets.
And if, after all of this, you really, really, really must buy someone a pet as a holiday gift, at least go into it with your eyes open. Plan in advance. Talk to your vet - or if you don't have a vet yet, call one at random. We don't yell or bite, I promise, and we'll be much happier to work with you in advance than we will be to do damage control after the fact. Tell the vet what the situation is, and ask their advice on whether the kind of animal you want to get is a good match for the gift recipient - the ideal pet for a six-year-old is likely to be very different from the ideal pet for your 65-year-old empty nester great aunt. Ask us what to expect in expenses for the first year of the pet's life, and what sort of supplies you should have on hand when you give it, so you're not left trying to find an open store that sells litter boxes or hamster food on Christmas day. Ask us what the time commitment for the new owner is going to be.
But honestly, please, if you're thinking of buying a pet for someone as a holiday gift.... just buy them a video game system instead. It'll cost less in the long run, won't soil your rugs, and is significantly less likely to suffer and die if the giftee gets bored and stuffs it in their closet after a month or two, never to play with it again.
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no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 11:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 11:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-11 11:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 06:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 12:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 01:15 am (UTC)1) It's a responsibility *I* am not willing to take on, right now.
2) I'd rather spend my time and money on my kids, not the pet.
Yes, I do really like having a pet and yes, I take it far too seriously to think I would handle it well right now *wry look.*
no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 02:31 am (UTC)But this has also given me the time to know that certain kittens, no matter how cute they look are incredibly needy & annoying. Fostering would give a family time to decide if the animal is right for them before adopting--and give kids the idea of how much work it takes to care for an animal on an extended basis.
Oh, I hear you.
Date: 2009-12-12 05:58 am (UTC)pet they might want (& PuppyBoy's "favorite animal" keeps
changing, so I am already proven correct), the only one we
are getting is a cat - and not just because "I'm the mommy",
but because it's the only animal we all like.
Well, I like all animals - but I only love cats, and just would
never consider any other pet but a cat.
I have also been trying to use a cat as a bribe for them to
get rid of enough of their stuff so we have room for one.
So far, no luck.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 06:55 am (UTC)Her mother suggested that. <3.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 09:56 am (UTC)I personally don't think anyone should be getting a pet unless they're in a place financially where they can afford either pet insurance or to pay a couple of grand out of pocket on a day's notice. It's one of the reasons I don't currently have any animals - because I can't - and I can't tell you the number of times I got this phonecall when I was working at the surgery.
"Hi, I've just bought this new pedigree dog/cat/iguana but it's really sick and I'm on benefits and can't afford anything - I don't really have to pay, right?"
AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 06:14 pm (UTC)"pets are a luxury, not a necessity." Same as cars.
Granted, we have a furry bunch but that is only because my boyfriend is a vet tech and we can afford the vet care.
There was one time however, this woman came into the clinic. She was homeless, but was on a payment plan. The dog had come in for something and the dog could only be released via the $75 charge. She did not have the $75, it was during the holidays so I decided to step up to the plate and pay the fee out of my pocket as a good deed. This woman had lost everything and only had her dog left. She thanked me with tears in her eyes.
Otherwise, don't do it. This is why I hate it when pets are sold through pet stores. I think the volunteering at the shelter is a great idea.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-12 06:39 pm (UTC)Sadly, cars as basic transportation are a necessity in a lot of areas. Now a new car or a fancy car is definitely a luxury.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-14 02:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-14 02:31 am (UTC)Whether $500/visit is unreasonable depends on a lot of things - how many animals that covers, what vaccines you're getting, whether they're also running any tests, whether you're taking home any meds... have you ever asked for an estimate beforehand, or an itemized bill after?
F'rinstance - $500 for a single cat to get an exam and a rabies vaccine is absurd. $500 for two cats for exam, rabies, FVRCP, and feline leukemia vaccines, fecal samples, wellness bloodwork, and a 6-month supply of flea/tick preventive is a good bargain. And there's a whole world of stuff in between.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-14 01:59 pm (UTC)THANK YOU!!
Date: 2009-12-18 03:21 am (UTC)Annual cost of having a pet (http://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership) and CPA worksheet on budgeting for pets (http://www.valueyourmoney.org/parenthood/Pet%20Ownership%20Worksheet.pdf).