It's a scene straight out of a Disney movie: under a beautiful Christmas tree, a wrapped box wriggles suspiciously. When the box is opened, an adorable puppy jumps out, to the delight of its surprised new owner.
But according Dragana Hajdukovic, branch manager at the West Vancouver B.C. SPCA, it's a scenario prospective pet owners should avoid. Giving a pet to a loved one as a surprise can backfire, and the animal will be the real loser.
"When it comes to treating the animal the same and training the animal, it's important that (the whole family) is on the same page," says Hajdukovic. "And that everybody wants the animal in their home."
That means that everyone in the family should meet the pet before making a final decision. The SPCA tries to match people with the right pet. The lifestyle of both the animal and its future owner need to be compatible. "If somebody is not very physically active, getting a breed of dog that requires a lot of exercise obviously isn't going to end up in a happy relationship," says Hajdukovic, adding that a bored dog may start acting out and become destructive.
The organization determines compatibility by asking people to fill out a detailed questionnaire.
"We also temperment-test all of our dogs, so we can predict what they're going to be like in their new home," says Hajdukovic.
Parents, doting aunts and uncles and grandparents should also avoid giving a pet to a child.
"There are always dangers in getting pets for kids because kids grow up," says Hajdukovic. "Getting a puppy for a 12-year-old that's going to be graduating from high school in a few years, you have to really think about the lifetime of the animal you're bringing into the home."
Even small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs can be a problem if children are expected to take all the responsibility of caring for their pet. Once everyone realizes how much work it is, the animals tend to end up in shelters.
But while giving a pet as a gift might not be the best idea, the holidays can be a great time for introducing a pet to your family.
"Holidays can be a great time to get a pet because a lot of people are off work and school," says Hajdukovic. "They can give that extra time and help the pet get settled into their new home."
