Buying gifts for your pets for Christmas? Totally acceptable.
Considering your pets gifts, or blessings, in your life? Very understandable.
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Giving a pet as a gift? BAD idea. Why is it a bad idea? I'll tell you....
Adding to your family should always be a much-researched and discussed decision, whether the addition is human, furry, feathered, fuzzy or finned! Animals require care and devotion for their lifetime—it's a big commitment and you need to be ready for that. It should never be a whim when caught up in the holiday spirit, or the decision of someone else!
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I also dislike the concept of an animal as a gift because of the implications that may inevitably come with that. (ie. most gifts can be returned or exchanged. That's not appropriate with a living thing!)
That being said, many shelters will allow you to purchase a gift certificate for future adoption. If you know someone has been contemplating and has decided to add to their family, this could be a good gift! You can also donate to animal-related charities in someone's name — this is a very good gift!