IN light of the festive season, the Amanzimtoti SPCA reminds the public that a pet is a lifetime commitment, not a Christmas gift.
The SPCA’s Michelle Hannan said, “Over the festive season, there is the custom of giving gifts to loved ones and friends. Some people believe it to be a good idea to give animals away as gifts.”
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Here are six things she urges people to think about before doing this:
- First discuss with them if they want a pet.
- Can they afford to look after a pet responsibly, for example, can they give them vaccinations every year, sterilise them, feed them and afford private vet fees, and do they have the right property to home and keep the animal sheltered?
- Do they know how much responsibility goes into looking after a pet?
- Are they old enough to take responsibility for a pet? Don’t give a child a pet as the parents will end up with the responsibility and they may not want that.
- Do they have other dogs and/or are their other animals sterilised and vaccinated? Will the new pet get along with them? Will it fit in? Do not get a kitten for someone who has dogs and the dogs have never seen a kitten.
- Do they have time, and do they know how to train the new animal and give it time to adjust to a new home?
Hannan said most unwanted animals end up at shelters, and that just overburdens them. “Please do not give pets away as gifts as they are a lifetime commitment. Make sure they are ready for that,” she said.
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