1. This reminds me of what happens around Easter. Parents in this area go out and buy bunnies and ducklings and baby chicks for the holiday. Weeks later they all end up in the animal shelters. It's too sad.

Don't get an animal just because you think it would make a cute holiday gift. If you wouldn't get the animal any other time of the year, don't get it now. Keep in mind the animal's life span. For instance, that cute little kitten you're giving to your daughter will probably still be around when she goes off to college. Also keep in mind that if your child is under a certain age, it's really going to be you making sure the animal gets taken care of.

Posted at 2:17PM on Dec 5th 2007 by Crystal

2. definatly, dogs are the perfect hoiday gift for the family, they are all so adorable and filled with love, If you have young chilren dogs are perfect and they will have someone to talk to, from experience

Posted at 6:29AM on Dec 9th 2007 by amanda

3. It is a cute idea to give pets on holidays, but it's terrible how many of them are not cared for well enough and are given to the animal shelter. (Like on Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, ect.)Some people who recieve animals don't even want them! Then where do they go? THE SHELTER!!!!!!!
Every animal is a blessing, and should be cared for very well ~ animals ARE NOT TOYS! It's probably for the best to adopt pets AFTER the holidays, if that person it's for CAN take care of it!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 7:53AM on Dec 9th 2007 by Lisa

4. Try a gift certificate:

In cases where someone really wants to give a pet as a gift, try a GIFT CERTIFICATE for an adoption at a nearby shelter or rescue (please please please not a petstore or puppy mill!). If the recipient really doesn't want a pet after all, the gift certificate can be turned into a donation. If they do want a pet, they can choose a pet that they really want.

Be aware that the recipient will be subject to the adoption/screening policies of shelters, rescues, and/or reputable breeders.

Posted at 8:08AM on Dec 9th 2007 by laura

5. yeah i dont think that really happens here that ppl get animals and give them but ppl r always mistreating animals and treat then like they dont care just around the holiday and it shortsns there life because of thatand ppl r always just treating animals like toys and fling them around and its just not right^

Posted at 8:41AM on Dec 9th 2007 by blabla

6. i agree with everyone else. animals are a living thing and should be treated with respect and dignity. getting an animal for a holiday gift "just because", is an idiotic idea, especially if you havent thought about the vet clinic costs for shots, blood tests, stool samples, grooming, anti-biotics, the animal being fixed, flea and tick protection, heart worm medication, and anything else the pet might need.

people tend to look at animals as a temporary fix for their kids, and its not like that. if youre one of those people i hope you feel ashamed for yourself, im only 17, and i seem to be thinking correctly. just because your whiny 7 yr old is saying "i want, i want, i want" doesnt mean they get, they get, they get.

Posted at 9:35AM on Dec 9th 2007 by stephanie

7. Yeah, pets are sweet gifts, but they should NEVER be given to anyone during any sort of holiday season, whether it be a birthday, a national holiday, or even just a vacation break from school. New pets should not be adopted or purchased at or around any time there's a lot of activity going on in a household, or any time family members will be gone from the house for extended periods of time. It's just not fair to the animal.

Posted at 9:38AM on Dec 9th 2007 by Tara

8. I think it is bad for anyone to get a pet, just for it to be a novelty...It wears off quickly!!.
You could say that we got our 8 months old, Beagle puppy on Halloween Holiday...As someone who couldn't care for him, just tied him to our yard late at night, with a bag of dog food, and a note saying that we look like nice people who could take care of him!!.
My Son, was scared of dogs at the time, so their was problems to begin with!!.
Then the dog trying to settle in, and our lifestyle having to change so much, it is like having a baby in the house!!.
With "Shilo", you have to "Dog-sit" him 24hrs, otherwise, he becomes very hyper, whinning, un-house-trained, barking constantly, and very, very destructive!!.
Now, I can understand why, he hasn't been able to keep a home!!.
Luckily for Shilo, we are nice people, who care about animals, and we have had to re-arrange our lives, to be able to keep him, and work constantly with him to help him re-learn what he can do and what he isn't allowed to do!!.
Alot of work, believe me!!
So, please if you are thinking of allowing a new animal into your home, then please be sensible, and think not only about yourselves, but the poor animal too!!.
It's not just a big change to each person involved, and the cuteness does wear off quickly...But to the animal that you would be acting cruel to, by keeping it for "Holiday" buying reasons!!.
More than likely...it would end up like "Shilo", or even worse!!.
Please be responsible people and pet owners this Holiday Season!!.

Posted at 9:44AM on Dec 9th 2007 by Sharon

9. Hats off to you, Sharon, for taking Shilo in even when your son was afraid. Having Shilo is helping him overcome that fear and he will be glad he's not afraid of dogs as he gets older.
I will say that beagles are the type of dog you described Shilo as being. My girlfriend has one and while he is a good dog and very friendly, he's a nervous wreck half the time and hyper the other half. He actually became depressed when she had a baby!
Having a pet is as big a responsibility as having a child and one you need to be prepared for. It's not in either your or the animal's best interests if you're not. If you have any doubts about the situation, DON'T get a pet.

Posted at 12:59PM on Dec 9th 2007 by Lainey

10. As someone who raises and loves my 3 rabbits and my russian tortise nothing ticks me off more than people jsut getting bunnies and other semi-exotic pets for the holidays and tehn neglecting them

Posted at 1:35PM on Dec 9th 2007 by thddavidj

11. a pet should be never given to a small child shildren can and will abuse pet a large dog is to large a small dog is to smal there is nothing in the middle when something happens who gets the beating that puppy or what ever pet entered that household children do not need pets if the parents pay enough attention to them a pet most of the time will turn in to a punshing bag and that is wrong buy stuffed toys for a child the enjoy that just as much and later on if he parents find in their child a real love for a pet without hurting it let them pick the pet the want from a shelter those cats and dogs look for loving homes,

Posted at 1:38PM on Dec 9th 2007 by foxwise

12. I think its really sad! I mean, these poor animals are getting transfered from home to home in search of a PERMANANT home, and yet, when the become dogs from puppies, cats from kittens, people dump them into the animal shelters!! I ♥animals, and can't believe this happens without someone to stop it!

♥♥Ashbo Simspon♥♥☻☺

Posted at 2:08PM on Dec 9th 2007 by ♥Ashbo♥

13. I would actually recommend to not give a pet as a present at anytime. I think the person who will be responsible for the dog should pick out the dog. When I got my pomeranian from the breeder originally I had picked out the female online. If this had been a present I would have gotten the female. When I went to see the pomeranian, I found that the female and I did not click. Instead there was a male there and I clicked with the male. The breeder also informed me how the females can be more maintenance then the males. I recommend you completely research the breed/size/sex of the dog you are getting. Each breed has different pros and cons. Small dogs have to be walked at least every 4 hours. Discuss the responsiblities with the person who is getting the dog and have the person go with you to pick out the breed/size/sex.
I speak from experience. Have a Happy Holiday.

Posted at 2:18PM on Dec 9th 2007 by Suzie Miller

14. It is cruel to neglect animals but giving them around a holiday is fine
It gives you a holiday break to bond with the pet instead of having to go to work or school
as long as you know the responsibilities it is nothing different

Posted at 2:40PM on Dec 9th 2007 by Em

15. When I was 9, my dog died, so my parents bought me a puppy of the same breed for christmas. I came downstairs and just stared. I named Buddy, and spent so much time with him, that I didn't touch my other gifts till february... I guess it just depends on the person... Consider how they might treat the animal. It worked out for my parents, it might just work out for you.

Posted at 3:10PM on Dec 9th 2007 by Char

16. I agree with Mandy, who said that if the person is really willing to take care of the pet and who really want one, it's nice for them to get a pet as a present. For those people, it's the perfect holiday present, but it doesn't really matter when they get it, they'll still be happy. I think school breaks are actually a better time for children to get pets (summer, winter - the longer breaks) because they'll be able to spend more time with it and help it get used to the household and them. Otherwise, it really does become the parents' animal. I got my cat in the middle of summer and spent as much time with her as I could, and I'm glad, because that was such an important time for her. She was an extremely young kitten, and I actually had to teach her how to use the litter box. If I had gotten her during the school year, it would never have been possible.

Posted at 4:51PM on Dec 9th 2007 by Michelle

17. Well.... I got my Puppy like 4 days before Christmas 2 years ago...and i still have it......and isnt it best to give it on Christmas cuz u would be so excited......but make sure that u take good care of it.....and dont get it for ur children if they are under like 8 cuz they wont take good care of it...... and On New YEars Eve , if u have a party then .. if ur pet is scared of the ppl put ( her or him ) in a room by itself so it can calmly go to sleep ... but check on it often :)

Posted at 9:44PM on Dec 9th 2007 by Anna

18. I agree with the comments on here pets aren't gifts for a holiday they are a gift plain and simple in the spiritual sense!

If your child really wants an animal contact either the shelter or Vets office and see if he or she can volunteer to help with the animal chores. My town has a no kill shelter that is pretty active with the local 4 H group and the 4 H members help with all kinds of things from painting the buildings to comming for an hour or so a day to just sit with the animals. This not only is a way for your child to see how much care pets need but perhaps teach them to help others even maybe as a family.

Posted at 12:14AM on Dec 10th 2007 by Julie

19. I totally agree with pets and the holidays. My mom begged and cried for a bird for Christmas. Not just any bird, but an African Grey parrot. So come Christmas time she got her present. One month later she wanted to give the bird up for adoption. Lucky for her I loved the little monster, and took over ownership. Now 10 years later, I moved out and took the parrot with me. Really though, if I hadn't fallen in love with the animal where would it have gone? The species lives more than 50 years. Please think twice about pets and gifts.

Posted at 12:53AM on Dec 10th 2007 by joey11y

20. NEVER EVER EVER should an animal or any other living creature be given as a "present!" Whoever the is getting the pet should be the one to pick it out, and only when that person feels they are responsible enough financially and maturely. End of story.

Posted at 4:22AM on Dec 10th 2007 by Charity