Say no to pets this Christmas

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Christmas is the season for giving and gifting, but let that not be a reason for you to gift a loved one a pet. Studies reveal that many believe pets make for great gifts as they look cute and cuddly in little baskets under the tree. However,

contrary to this popular belief, pets should never be gifted as they require a commitment by their owner that surpasses the longevity of any material gift.
Every year around Christmas, PETA launches a campaign to discourage people from presenting pets as gifts. Niranjan Amarnath of PETA says, “Apart from the fact that the recipient must really want and like pets, he or she should also be ready to make a commitment that is nearly 15 years long. Also, the recipient must have resources such as money, time and space to really look after a pet.”
Unfortunately, the highest incidence of pet abandonment arises from animals given as gifts. Manoj Oswal, head of People For Animals, Pune says, “When we receive complaints of animal cruelty, 85 per cent of the time, the pet will have been received as a gift. In such cases, the owner is not really an animal lover, but finds that abandoning the pet is morally wrong and will hurt the sentiments of the person who presented the pet.” In such a case, the owner doesn’t devote his time to care for the pet and simply ties it up and giving it meals but depriving it of any human companionship.
Even on the Internet gifting sites include options of gifting a puppy or a kitten to someone. One must be cautious of these dodgy websites, as they sometimes even involve importing an exotic pet. Mumbai-based pet consultant, Jahnavi Daftary, says, “During the holiday season, the demand for exotic pets such as Yorkshire terriers, Shitzu or Maltese puppies is very high. Importing a pet is a risky option as one is ignorant of the puppy’s pedigree or genetic traits. An animal should not be gifted just because it looks exotic and cute. Only after conducting a temperament test, should a person adopt a pet.”
So, if you don’t want to receive a pet this Christmas, let your friends know. Niranjan advices “Make a wish list and scratch off pets from that list. And, if you’re an animal lover head to a shelter and play with dogs and cats there. Sponsor an event at the shelter and spend your time bathing or feeding the animals there.” Now that’s what we call Christmas spirit!