Animal Welfare Groups Discourage Surprise Pet Gifts

Shelters promote careful planning and recipient involvement in pet adoption during the holiday season.

Animal welfare organizations and shelters are discouraging the practice of giving pets as surprise gifts during the holiday season, citing the potential for stress and the need for careful planning.
Instead of surprise gifts, shelters are promoting a more one-on-one, conversational approach to pet adoption, which often requires the participation of prospective pet owners.
Some shelters are offering Santa-adorned gift certificates or suggesting that gift givers wrap up all the supplies a pet will need and let recipients choose their own animals later.
The notion that more animals are relinquished after the holidays has been debunked, with data suggesting that this phenomenon isn't widespread.
Experts recommend that all family members should be on board with getting a new pet and that the recipient should be part of the selection process.