Pets for Christmas: Must you reward a canine or a cat?

I’ve been researching a submit about adoption boundaries, and I’ve an entire enormous scenario–with footnotes!–approaching that within the new yr. For now, although, one factor I’ve encountered time and again in my analysis: Limiting adoptions for the vacations throws up yet one more adoption barrier not based in knowledge.

I’m absolutely conscious that this isn’t a well-liked opinion, so keep on with me, guys, as a result of I’m going to interrupt it down.

I’m certain you’ve seen the headlines:

• Pets Aren’t Presents
• 5 Causes To not Give Pets as Christmas Presents
• Why You Ought to Keep away from Giving Pets as Presents

As so on. There’s even a large on-line marketing campaign from my least favourite, most hated animal group, PETA, that features a social and weblog push for “pets aren’t presents.”

Earlier than we have a look at the numbers, let’s set three expectations:

First, we’re not speaking about giving a pet to, say, your mailman or your youngster’s classroom instructor. This isn’t a shock in your Nice Aunt Gladys (until she explicitly instructed you all she needs is a kitten). This can be a pet reward inside your personal family. And, truthfully, the numbers bear this out in any case… folks aren’t giving pets as presents to random folks in your listing in any case.

Second, each single one of many “don’t give pets as vacation presents” articles I’ve learn included the identical theme: Giving a pet as a gift brings an animal into an unprepared family. Since each  article consists of this identical warning–the recipient gained’t be ready–I’m questioning who they suppose offers the pet. I’m undecided if this can be a situation that assumes you give the pet because the reward after which wash your arms of it, but when we’re speaking pets adopted into the identical family (see the purpose above), it’s an expectation on the giver’s half to, you recognize, give the pet’s provides together with the pet. Since most of the time this pets-as-presents debate focuses on mother and father giving their youngsters a pet for Christmas, nicely, the mother and father purchase the provides anyway.

Third, I’m targeted solely on canines and cats. Sadly, as with nearly each animal welfare matter, there’s little dependable knowledge on small animals, and I’m striving to keep away from assumptions or anecdotes in favor of information.

OK, so we’re speaking a few canine or cat given as a present inside the family and a accountable grownup is concerned within the resolution. 

Appears easy sufficient, however in some way the favored opinion has determined folks give pets willy-nilly to unsuspecting family and friends who know nothing about pets, who don’t have the funds for it, who haven’t pet-proofed their residence. After which it was skyrocketing relinquishment numbers post-holiday (which the info exhibits that’s a far cry from the reality… extra on that in a minute). Truthfully, who’s giving canines and cats out to everybody on their listing?

All that apart, this occurs so typically in animal adoption: emotions appear to carry extra weight than knowledge. So, let’s have a look at the info.

My desire is at all times to seek out peer-reviewed literature, and there’s not a ton, however there’s this: “Ought to Canine and Cats be Given as Presents?” printed within the open-access journal Animals in 2013. You may entry the complete examine right here, however right here’s what the authors state within the intro (daring emphasis added by me):

Widespread arguments embody statements akin to: pet possession shouldn’t be an impulse resolution; the recipient ought to consent to pet possession and be concerned within the number of a pet that matches his or her way of life; it’s a long-term dedication; pet possession is expensive; the vacations are a nasty time to convey residence a brand new animal. This message could also be pushed by issues of inappropriate homing and return to the shelter. Usually, organizations that help these arguments cite anecdotal proof that returns of pets from sad reward receivers happens steadily. Nevertheless, the obtainable knowledge don’t help these issues.

They went on to make clear the aim of their examine:

Whereas there’s sturdy current proof to point out that canines and cats obtained as presents aren’t at the next danger of relinquishment than canines and cats obtained in different methods, the parable that canines and cats shouldn’t be given as presents nonetheless persists.

They concluded:

In the end, the outcomes for animals given as presents are the identical outcomes of the final pet inhabitants. 

So far as anecdotal proof, ASPCA Professional printed a case examine of a shelter in Charleston, SC, that launched a “House for the Holidays” program. In that case, the president of the shelter reported that 40 pets have been given as presents by means of their program and none have been returned.

Within the ASPCA’s official place assertion on pets as presents, they write:

Lately, the ASPCA carried out a survey to be taught extra about individuals who purchase pets as presents. Within the survey, 96% of the individuals who obtained pets as presents thought it both elevated or had no influence on their love or attachment to that pet. The overwhelming majority of those pets are nonetheless within the residence (86%). The survey additionally revealed no distinction in attachment based mostly on the reward being a shock or identified upfront.  A number of research carried out within the 1990’s and 2000 (Patronek, 1996, Scarlett, 1999 New, 1999, New 2000) discovered that pets acquired as presents are much less more likely to be relinquished than pets acquired by the person.

And, throughout the ocean, the dialog is altering on pet adoptions by means of the RSPCA. Right here’s an article that examined knowledge and carried out interviews and concluded, once more, that pets may be great presents so long as it’s not a shock to an unsuspecting pal or member of the family. Try their relinquishment charges graph, too, which additional exhibits that the info simply doesn’t bear out on the supposed improve in post-holiday pet relinquishment within the UK.

Lastly, on this piece from CBS Information, the journalist juxtaposes a shelter’s reluctance to undertake pets throughout the vacation in opposition to the info and the HSUS’ place, as nicely, finally concluding that extra progressive shelters are more likely to permit and even encourage adoptions throughout the holidays.

BTW, one of many shelters quoted says they attempt to counsel in opposition to adopting pets as presents however perceive that the particular person can finally simply depart and go purchase a pet to reward… so, who wins in that situation?

This fantasy appears to be merely one other barrier to pet adoption. Widespread assumptions that aren’t backed by analysis stop pets from discovering their households all through the whole yr, however hopefully this fantasy may be dismantled in order that extra pups can spend Christmas morning in a house!

Backside line:

1. Don’t give a pet to somebody not in your family. Duh.
2. Ensure an grownup is concerned within the resolution. Additionally, duh.
3. Pets make great presents and giving an adoptable canine or cat a house for the vacations is completely pretty–IF numbers 1 and a pair of are strictly adopted!

So, what do you suppose? Have you ever heard that pets shouldn’t be given as presents? Have you ever ever obtained a pet as a present?

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