17 Comments:

• Make sure that you also have your pet micro-chipped and registered. One great company to register your pet is Helpmefindmypet.com this company not only provides a duel registration but also provides a proactive lost pet alert. This alert is sent out via email to shelters, rescues, vets, municipalities, members, and your pet friendly community. Let’s face it people find pets, with the correct information and knowledge of what to do our shelters will be less crowded and families will be reunited with their pets. So check it out www.helpmefindmypet.com

  By  Helping-pets, at 2:38 PM, December 14, 2007  

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• It really is a bad idea, Steve. A puppy is not an object, like an iPod, to be given lightly and then returned if the giftee doesn't like it (which doesn't help at all with the pet overpopulation crisis). The only way an animal is a good gift for Christmas (or birthdays or whatever) is if the person has already seen and chosen the puppy before the special occasion and understands his responsibilities. Also, never buy a puppy from a pet store, since they all come from puppy mills.

  By  lonebeaut, at 10:54 PM, December 14, 2007  

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• I disagree with the statements about animal rights groups.
  My opinion is that choosing any pet is strictly up to the person desiring to become that animals human. How can another person decide which pet is best for someone else, except in the case of children?
  I think it is a bad idea to bring a pet into the chaos of Christmas.
  I am 100% for giving a pet as a gift that the receiver has chosen themselves at any time other than the busy holiday season.
  And that, I think, is the gist of the message from animal groups.

  By  Anonymous, at 5:18 AM, December 15, 2007  

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• "Just make sure the recipient is ready for the puppy"... if the recipient IS ready for the puppy, they would get a puppy themselves, don't you get it? Steve, determining for yourself if a "recipient" is ready for one or not is just simply arrogance. If by being ready for one, you mean that the person has verbalized they want a puppy, then you should know better that wanting one and actually being ready for one are very different things. Stick to the gift cards. If you really want to help out puppies and the shelters they're in, bring the intended "recipient" to one and let them do the picking...but not for Christmas or any other holiday for that matter. Check out Cesar Millan's piece on why giving puppies as a holiday gift is an unwise move.

  By  Anonymous, at 5:53 AM, December 15, 2007  

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• I absolutely despise many of the so-called "animal rights" groups out there, such as PETA who feels that we should not own any pets at all.
  
  That aside, I think giving a puppy as a gift at any time of the year is a bad idea, and around Christmas it's probably even worse. (I'll explain below.)
  
  First, puppies or adult dogs, for that matter, are not objects to be handed over, given away, or bought on a whim. They are living beings that require care and should be a lifetime commitment, not a quick cute gift that can be returned, exchanged, or sold on Craig's List.
  
  Second, most of the puppies given as holiday gifts don't come from shelters, rescues, or reputable breeders.
  
  None of those will hand over a dog that is intended to be given as a gift to a third party. Shelters usually require that everyone living in the same household where the dog will be living should be present at the time of adoption. Rescues and reputable breeders require references and home visits. They don't just hand you a dog because you ask them to and want to have it in time for Christmas.
  
  The only people who do that are pet stores and backyard breeders. And buying from them has never helped any homeless animals anywhere - buying from them causes puppy mills and BYB's to stay in business and pump out more dogs with uncertain health and temperaments that most likely will end up in the shelter.
  
  Lastly, the holidays are almost never a good time to bring a new dog into the home - adult or puppy. A new dog has to be properly introduced to the household and the owners have to have a chance to spend time with them and get to know them. For most people, the holidays are much too hectic and busy to bring a new dog into the home.
  
  What I would recommend instead of giving a dog or puppy as a gift would be to give a certificate and/or dog supplies to the person. Explain to them that you will pay for a dog for them and/or help them pick one out from a reputable breeder, a rescue, or a shelter, but that it has to be THEIR decision and that they need to be ready to have the dog first.

  By  AbbyK9.blogspot.com, at 11:49 PM, December 15, 2007  

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• This is the second time recently that an article on this site has made me stop in shock and say, ARE YOU KIDDING?
  
  The points you make are ridiculous. Animal shelters don't want every person out there to adopt a pet because not everyone is responsible enough to care for the animal properly. That's why you fill out an application and are pre-screened to adopt. Any random person can walk into a pet store or pick up a newspaper and buy themselves a puppy. But at least half of those dogs, probably more, end up in a shelter because the person didn't do their research and bought a dog on impulse. Having a dog is like having a child. You shouldn't treat it like a child, but it requires the same amount of time commitment and care. Not to mention the costs that may occur beyond the price of food.
  
  Your suggestions and logic are the very reason there are so many animals sitting in shelters waiting to be euthanized. It is sad that there are so many, but you cannot possibly think that everyone should own a dog so we all understand what it's like.
  
  I recommend you find another hobby or interest to hand out advice about, because you clearly have no idea what you're talking about here.

  By  Dexter Obvious, at 10:36 AM, December 16, 2007  

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• i agree that you cant just get a dog or cat right off the back..most of them are brought back or to the shelter because their not potty traind or they chew..ect..they are puppis thats what they do!! The best thing for first time dog owners is an adult dog because most of them are trained and you alredy know their size and temperment..I think experienced dog owners should get puppis because they usually know how to properly raise and care for them..its not the month you need to worry about is if you are ready for one and can support adog or puppy!1 so be responsable..Ohand its not that they dont care about the animals because the wouldnt adopt them out if they didnt care!!Trust me i want to own an animal shelter that cam hold over 300 adoptable dogs!! we do this because we care!

  By  Anonymous, at 5:07 PM, December 16, 2007  

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• In response to some of the commenters, READ THE ARTICLE!
  
  I made the point that if giving an animal as a gift, the recipient must be advised first, and expressed interest in wanting a pet.
  
  Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue.
  
  Never give out a pet as a surprise gift.
  
  After reading some of these comments, it's apparent to me that they did not read my article, and instead glossed over it, and when they saw the word, "Christmas" they freaked out.
  
  If you take responsibility in adopting a pet, then it makes no difference what day or month of the year you adopt.
  
  Read the article in full, before you try to tear me down.

  By  Steve, at 6:07 PM, December 16, 2007  

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• Steve,
  
  I cannot speak for the other comments but I can assure you that I have read your post before commenting. And I still stand by what I said.
  
  You stated, "The recipient should have expressed their interest in assuming responsibility for a pet. There's nothing wrong in talking it over with the recipient before you buy the puppy."
  
  There are two issues with this.
  
  One, a person buying a dog for someone else. Like I said, no shelter, reputable rescue, or reputable breeder will let you do this. They will want to interview the person who will be the owner and require them to provide references and access to the home for a home visit.
  
  Two, not only is there "nothing wrong" in talking it over, the person the dog is intended for should be involved every step of the way. That's why I suggested giving dog supplies and offering to pay for the dog when the right dog is found, rather than going out and locating / buying a dog in time for Christmas. Give a gift certificate for the amount of money, then accompany the person when they go to check out breeders. Don't just give them a dog. Especially since many well-intentioned people may not know the difference between breed A and breed B or know what to look for in a puppy or for the recipient's lifestyle.
  
  You also said, "If animal rights groups truly cared for the well being of animals, they'd do everything they can to get more animals into the hands of families."
  
  I disagree with this as well.
  
  First, animal RIGHTS groups are very, very different from animal WELFARE organizations. Animal rights groups such as PETA don't believe in pet ownership. They believe that pets are better of dead than being owned. If you check their own website, you will find that PETA is seeking an end to breeding and pet ownership.
  
  Second, animal welfare groups such as the ASPCA and rescues do want the best for animals: they want a FOREVER home. That is why they don't want people to make rash decisions, impulse buy a dog at a pet store, or buy dogs for someone other than themselves.
  
  Lastly, you said: "For once, I'd like to see all the pet writers acknowledge that adopting a puppy from a shelter or rescue makes a better Christmas gift than any toy or jewelry you can buy. Just make sure your recipient is prepared for the puppy."
  
  I don't think that anyone here disagrees with the fact that getting a puppy (or an adult dog) from a shelter or rescue is much better than any toy or jewelry you can buy.
  
  However, they disagree with the practice of buying a dog for someone else (who may not be fully committed to getting a dog) and to bringing a dog home during the hustle and chaos of the holidays which is the worst time to introduce a new dog to a household.
  
  I have no doubt that the intent behind your post was good, but the way it's written it encourages bad ownership rather than rescue.

  By  Abby, at 10:19 PM, December 16, 2007  

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• Abby, if a shelter wants to interview the recipient, then bring to the recipient along. What's the problem with that?
  
  If the recipient wants to see the dog first, then bring the recipient with you and let him/her pick it out. What's the problem with that?
  
  Like I said, if you do this RESPONSIBLY, there's no difference in doing this as a gift, or doing it any other time of the year.
  
  It's organizations like PETA, ASPCA, HSUS, that position themselves as the experts, when they're just people like you and I. People should think for themselves, use some logic, and stop accepting what these organizations say like it's some kind of religious doctrine.

  By  Steve, at 9:29 AM, December 17, 2007  

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• Sad...you can't even take opposing views because they make sense. Your mind is so closed to any dissenting opinions. Dexter Obvious is right--find another hobby or interest.
  
  Abby...well-said. YOU should start a blog.

  By  Anonymous, at 12:39 AM, December 18, 2007  

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• We could go round-n-round about this subject for hours, days, months, years ... it's nice to know so many people are concerned.
  Did you know that over 4 million healthy adoptable dogs are euthanized in our shelters every year? Shelter killing is believed to be the number one cause of death for healthy dogs in the U.S.
  For those of you who REALLY want to make a difference for homeless dogs, I suggest a visit to DogsInDanger.com, a wonderful new website dedicated to helping shelters save the lives of MILLIONS of innocent dogs.
  Get involved, spread the word, raise awareness in your community about this new website -- it works! Participating shelters are ecstatic and dogs are being adopted.

  By  Anonymous, at 4:17 PM, December 18, 2007  

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• Quote - "Abby, if a shelter wants to interview the recipient, then bring to the recipient along. What's the problem with that?"
  
  There is no problem with *THAT*. Pleas re-read my post. I'm getting the feeling that you're not understanding what I wrote.
  
  What I'm saying is, it's great to offer to PAY for the dog and give supplies. Maybe even help the recipient through the process of getting a dog.
  
  But you cannot and should not adopt a dog for someone else. If you want to get a dog from a shelter, rescue, or reputable breeder, then the person the dog will be owned by (the recipient), HAS to be the one to do the paperwork, provide the references, and be open to a home check.
  
  You cannot get a dog for someone else unless you buy it from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill, and we don't want that.
  
  You CAN give someone a nice gift certificate and some dog supplies and help them through the process. That's the way it should be.
  
  The problem is, the people who give dogs for Christmas (obviously, with the exception of parents who would be responsible and in charge of the dog no matter what), are the people who literally go and buy a dog and give it for Christmas.
  
  ...
  
  RE: Anonymous. Thank you. I already have a blog - http://abbyk9.blogspot.com For some reason Blogger's comment system wouldn't let me type more than "Abby" under the last post.

  By  Abby K9.blogspot.com, at 5:17 PM, December 18, 2007  

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• I am definitely not an animal rights-vegan, but I don't think Christmas is the time to introduce a new dog into a family of children. A dog should be a special occasion, not part of throwaway toys.

  By  jan, at 11:02 AM, December 20, 2007  

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• Can anyone give me advice? A friend gave me a puppy a couple months ago as a birthday gift, but things have turned sour between us recently and she's threatening to want the dog back.. I'm thinking she can't do that, but if anyone has an opinion, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

  By  Anonymous, at 6:34 PM, December 25, 2007  

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• I feel that puppies for Christmas is the worst idea possible. You are too busy cooking and cleaning and YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME FOR THE PUPPY AND THE ATTENTION SHE/HE NEEDS.

  By  Anonymous, at 6:00 AM, December 28, 2007  

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• Giving a a pet for Christmas is like giving a wife, husband or baby for Christmas. Yes, pets can be wonderful, but they are a commitment. Yes, I'd like to see all the abandoned dogs in the whole world adopted. I'd like to see all the single woman in the world married, too - but I don't want one for that someone else picked out under the Christmas tree.

  By  Anonymous, at 6:15 AM, December 31, 2007  

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