“Rescue Me” is a recurring column by Samantha Randall, editor of Top tips for dogs. She will provide personal anecdotes and perspective on her life as a pet lover with a passion for rescuing cats and dogs. Today she explains how to determine if a furry gift is the right idea.
In one of my previous columns, I mentioned how the gift of pets should be taken very seriously, and in many cases when one or other party is not prepared, it shouldn’t even be done. And while giving pets as gifts is generally frowned upon, it’s not necessarily true in all situations. After all, people usually assume the worst case scenario when talking about pets as gifts.
If you’re considering giving someone a rescue dog, it can certainly be a lovely gift — and in the right circumstances, appropriate. Some studies even show that when dogs are given as gifts, the recipient is likely to be more attached to the animal. But how do you know if it’s the right decision or not? As someone who has rescued dogs for over two decades, I’ll try to help you make that decision and explain the things you need to consider to be sure your gift will be truly appreciated.
How to know if the recipient is ready
If you’re considering gifting a rescue dog to someone else, you probably already know that the potential recipient loves dogs and would like to take care of them. However, you also need to make sure that it is the right time for this person to take on such responsibility.
After all, having a dog is in many ways like having a child. A dog owner must be able to provide food, supplies, medication, and most importantly, time. So, ask yourself some important questions before making a decision:
- Is the recipient a dog lover?
- Have they ever talked about getting a dog?
- Can they handle the financial responsibility that comes with owning a dog?
- Do they have enough space for a new pet?
- Do they have enough time to devote to their new pet?
Remember Dogs Are Not Good Surprise Gifts
Even if you answered yes to all of the questions above, surprising someone with a dog as a gift is never a good idea. While pets can be wonderful gifts, experts say they’re rarely good when they come as a complete surprise.
It is always best to discuss this with the recipient first. Ask him if he would like to receive a rescue dog as a gift without beating around the bush and try to deduce the answer without disclosing your intentions.
Decide on the right dog to gift
Offer a rescue dog is usually a better choice than purchase a dog as a gift in a pet store, for many reasons.
However, you must make the right choice when selecting the rescue dog to offer. For example, you should consider the dog’s size, age, temperament, breed, activity level, and whether or not it has been housebroken before choosing it as a gift for another person. If the recipient has children or other pets, you should also take this into consideration and look for a dog that is used to children or other animals, or that can be easily trained and has no history negatives” associated with this.
Even then, it’s entirely plausible that you’re not making the right choice. Although this would somewhat spoil the surprise and gift aspect, my advice is to simply take the recipient with you to the shelter and let them choose a dog that will suit their personality, energy level and living conditions, while you just pay the bill. .
If you go the above route, another thing you can do to add to your gift and make up for the lack of surprise is the adoption kit. Buy the new owner a safe, no-pull collar-leash combo or dog harness, some healthy treats, maybe a dog bed and/or crate, and if possible, plan and pay for their first trip to the vet. This is what would make the most amazing gift when it comes to giving pets – a smooth and rewarding introduction to a new dog owner.
Don’t get carried away by the holidays
It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday hype and easy to think a rescue dog is the perfect Christmas gift. However, the “holiday high” eventually wears off, while the person receiving the gift is left with the responsibility.
Even if you know the recipient would like a dog and you’ve discussed all the details with them, it may be best to wait until after the vacation is over. Aside from the fact that many of us don’t quite think straight when riding “on vacation,” it can also be difficult to train a dog while on vacation. It’s a hectic time, and the recipient may have guests, parties, constant preparations, or travel plans, not all of which are good for a new dog to be unloaded on them.
As they say, patience is a virtue; and in this case, it is undoubtedly true.
