Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

10 Considerations Before Giving Pets For Christmas

With the season to be jolly upon us, animal lovers might be tempted to share their joy by putting a puppy or kitten under the Christmas tree. However, PD Insurance is advising Kiwis to avoid the urge unless 100 percent sure it’s the right gift to give.

The pet insurer says companion animals represent a decades-plus commitment of love and attention. They also come at a not-inconsiderable cost to their owner.

“Our advice is to not give a pet as a gift unless you’re sure the receiver can provide the care the animal deserves. Once the novelty has worn off it can and does result in pets being sent to shelters, or even worse,” says Michelle Le Long, PD Insurance Head of NZ Operations.

HUHA NZ says it receives almost 100 calls per month from Kiwis wanting assistance from the shelter because they need to give up a pet. This number increases after Christmas, when new pet parents realise the additional costs and level of commitment involved.

HUHA founder Carolyn Press McKenzie advises, “People busting to give someone a pet should consider giving a gift voucher from an animal shelter instead. Any good shelter will refund them if the gift recipient realises they’re not ready to own a pet after being taken through the adoption process.”

Le Long continues, “We urge anyone considering giving a pet as a Christmas present to carefully think through any pitfalls as well as the many positives. Especially if the recipient of the pet isn’t in your immediate family – then, the risks of issues down the line are amplified.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

1. Pets are for life

Expect cats and dogs to be part of the family for the better part of 20 years. “As a gift, pets not only keep giving, they keep taking. The give and take lasts a long time,” says Le Long. “That’s especially clear when you consider the lifetime cost of owning a pet.”

2. Pets need training and care

Dogs and cats are not toys; they have a mind of their own. Dogs need substantial training and regular exercise, and both cats and dogs need plenty of affection and attention. If the pet gift recipient isn’t prepared to make the effort, the pet will suffer.

3. Pets cost money

Just like humans need a doctor’s visit every so often, so do pets. In an emergency, such costs can skyrocket. And costs are significant even when vet bills aren’t taken into account. Recent PD Insurance research shows the most common spend on pets each year, excluding vet bills - food, toys, boarding, grooming, etc. - is $500-$1,000 (34% of respondents), followed by less than $500 (28%) then $1,000-$2,500 (24%).

Multiply those annual costs by 20 then add vet bills - which are significantly higher if an owner doesn’t have pet insurance - and the lifetime cost of a pet becomes clearer.

4. Expect lifestyle changes

Did we mention pets need attention? This means the lifestyle of a new pet owner will change. “We call our pets fur babies for a reason because, just like children, they need care,” notes Le Long. That includes no more spur-of-the-moment shooting away for a weekend. First, book a sitter or place at the kennels or cattery. And bring a wallet.

5. Renting? Pets just made it harder

If you give a pet to a person who rents, it could make life a whole lot harder for them. “Most rentals have a ‘no pets’ policy. Finding accommodation is harder for pet owners; bear this in mind before considering gifting a pet. Also consider the gift of pet insurance along with it, to cover damage the pet may cause to the property,” says Le Long.

6. Fluffy wants a brush

Part of the reason landlords don’t like pets is because they can be messy. Pet owners know grooming and cleaning up after their fur baby is part of the deal. Does the potential recipient of a gifted pet know what’s required? And are they prepared to take on the work as well as the love and cuddles?

7. Not to be sneezed at

Plenty of folks have allergies. Some to cats and dogs. Even if they’re not the direct recipient of a gifted pet, others in the household could get the sniffles or more. “Be aware of this reality,” says Le Long. “It could adversely affect home harmony.”

8. Getting the snip

Most pets are desexed. Many animals can be a handful if not and unexpected litters can make life very difficult – another factor to bear in mind if the idea of a pet present crosses your mind. Perhaps consider getting it desexed before putting a big red bow on.

9. If you absolutely insist…

Of course, all these reasons might pass muster for someone who really wants a pup or kitty for Christmas and is fully aware of the level and scale of commitment. If that’s the case, consider adopting a pet from a shelter like HUHA. Many fur babies need homes. This could be your chance to save a life, avoiding animal farms and puppy scams.

10. Don’t get it wrong

With tens of thousands of abandoned animals going into shelters every year, the truly sad thing is that some started life as a gifted pet. Bringing them into a caring family is one of the greatest presents you can give - to the recipient and to the pet. However, giving a pet to someone unprepared to put in the time, money and effort to fully experience the joy of a fur baby can have severe consequences for the animal. Be sure your gift will receive ample love and care, and it will no doubt give the same in return.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Scoop Post Election Podcast: The River Of Freedom Documentary Review

After recording a River of Freedom review the Scoop Political Podcast went into hibernation. Now with a new Government formed it’s time to dust off this forgotten silver and look at the potential impact this documentary, about the Wellington parliamentary protest of 2022 had on Election 23. Watched by potentially tens of thousands of voters in the weeks prior to the election this movie was not likely to have won votes for the then Labour government. More

Gordon Campbell: On The Skewed Media Coverage Of Gaza

Now that he’s back as Foreign Minister, maybe Winston Peters should start reading the MFAT website which is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of how Kiwis alerted the rest of the world to the genocide in Rwanda. How times have changed ...

In 2023, the government is clutching its pearls because senior Labour MP Damien O’Connor has dared suggest that Gaza’s civilian population - already living under apartheid and subjected to sixteen years of an illegal embargo, and now being herded together and slaughtered indiscriminately amid the destruction of their homes, schools, mosques, and hospitals - are also victims of what amounts to genocide. More


 
 
ACT: Call To Abolish Human Rights Commission

“The Human Rights Commission’s appointment of a second Chief Executive is just the latest example of a taxpayer-funded bureaucracy serving itself at the expense of delivery for New Zealanders,” says ACT MP Todd Stephenson. More


Public Housing Futures: Christmas Comes Early For Landlords

New CTU analysis of the National & ACT coalition agreement has shown the cost of returning interest deductibility to landlords is an extra $900M on top of National’s original proposal. This is because it is going to be implemented earlier and faster, including retrospective rebates from April 2023. More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.