Pets make great companions but poor Christmas surprises. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Pets For Christmas

‘Traumatizing for the animal’: SPCA warns against pets as Christmas gifts

Dec 13, 2021 | 1:59 PM

With Christmas now less than two weeks away, gift buying season is in full swing.

If you’re shopping for an animal lover, however, the local SPCA is asking you not to rush out and buy them a pet for Christmas.

According to the SPCA, buying an animal as a gift to surprise someone has the potential to backfire hard. While pet adoptions are generally welcomed, especially as they’re often over capacity with cats in particular, this time of year they ask people to be more cautious.

“People can get animals at any time of the year, which is fantastic, but we really try to discourage people from getting animals as presents, especially if they’re getting them as presents for other people.” said Ashlee Bober, manager of the Prince Albert SPCA.

Because dogs and cats can live anywhere from 15 to 20 years, the commitment to them lasts a lot longer than the initial joy of seeing one on Christmas morning. So if you’re planning to adopt an animal this time of year, it’s especially important that all parties responsible for the animal are involved in the decision.

SGI

July proves the most deadly month for impaired driving, SGI

57m ago

Union strike

WestJet cancels more than 150 flights following surprise mechanics union strike

18h ago

Missing person

P.A. Police searching for missing youth

Jun 29, 2024

“If you are looking at getting a gift for somebody, they need to be involved in the decision of getting that animal,” said Bober. “It’s not something you want to surprise someone with. If it turns out they’re not able to take care of that animal, it’s not fair for them.”

When the initial happiness of getting an animal as a surprise gift wears off, Bober said a lot of people choose to bring their pets back to the shelter. It’s a fairly reliable pattern in the early days of the new year.

“Ultimately what ends up happening is we see a lot of animals coming into the shelter as unwanted pets anywhere from a month to three months after Christmas when they’re not exciting and new anymore,” Bober said. “It is extremely hard and traumatizing for those animals.”

Humans may have a hard time letting go of their pets if they need to return them to the shelter, but in Bober’s experience, it’s not easy for the animals either.

“It’s extremely emotionally hard on them,” said Bober. “It is a very traumatizing thing for the animal. How would you like it if someone welcomed you into their family and a couple of weeks later they decided you weren’t good enough anymore or they don’t want you anymore? Cats and dogs and exotics and other animals, they have feelings just like us humans, and it is very traumatizing for them.”

Bober also said people thinking of adopting this time of year, after having had a conversation with all parties looking after the animal, should be aware of the costs and time it will take to give an animal the care they need.

—-

rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP