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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Usually, don’t surprise someone with an animal they have not clearly chosen. A pet can be a suitable gift when the intended owner has wanted one over time, can provide responsible care, and has a say in choosing an animal that fits their life. The risk is not that surprise status alone makes a pet less loved; it is that the person or household may not be ready.
When can giving a pet as a gift work?
The ASPCA does not take an absolute position against pets as gifts. Its position statement recommends giving pets only to people who have expressed sustained interest in owning one and can care for it responsibly.
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That means more than a passing comment or a child’s wish. The intended owner’s housing, schedule, finances, and capacity need to suit the animal, and the household should have time for a calm transition. ASPCA says a surprise may be appropriate when the giver knows the recipient’s lifestyle, schedule, and means, and has allowed for that transition.
For a child under 12, ASPCA says the parents should be ready and eager to assume responsibility for care. A child may help with age-appropriate tasks, but the gift should not depend on the child becoming the primary caregiver.
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- Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that carries more than 10,000 different pet-related products for dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and small animals.
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Does the evidence show that gifted pets are less loved?
No. A 2013 survey study of dog and cat gift recipients, published in Animals, found no statistically significant association between receiving a pet as a gift—including as a surprise—and respondents’ self-reported attachment or whether the animal remained in the home. The ASPCA’s summary of the survey reports that 96% of respondents said receiving the pet as a gift increased or had no effect on their love or attachment, and 86% of the pets referred to in the study were still in the home.
Those findings do not establish that every recipient is prepared, or that a surprise is appropriate for every household. They describe the surveyed recipients’ reported experiences; they are not a guarantee about an individual gift or a current measure of how often surprise gifts go wrong. The practical question is whether this person and household are ready for this particular animal.
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- Gift cards are valid online and in store for merchandise, training, grooming, PetSmart PetsHotel and Doggie Day Camp.
- Physical gift cards are delivered active via mail.
- Redeem online and instore at any PetSmart location.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return.
- No fees will be applied to the gift card after purchase (including dormancy, service or other fees). Funds do not expire but your gift card may have a ‘valid thru’ date. If funds remain after this date has passed, please call PetSmart customer service for a replacement card.
How to check whether the recipient is ready
Before arranging an animal as a gift, work through these questions with the intended owner—ideally without committing them to an animal first:
- Is the interest sustained? Have they clearly wanted a pet over time, rather than expressing a momentary wish?
- Does the animal fit their life? Consider housing rules, daily schedule, finances, and their ability to meet the animal’s care needs.
- Can they help choose? Temperament, age, and individual needs matter; the recipient should be involved in finding a suitable match.
- Is there time to settle in? A holiday or other busy occasion may leave little room for a calm transition. Make sure the household can focus on the animal’s arrival.
- Is the source responsible? Plan to work with a shelter or rescue, or, when appropriate, a responsible breeder.
How to make the occasion special without handing over an unchosen pet
Keep the celebration, but make the animal’s arrival a shared decision. ASPCA suggests giving an IOU or festive certificate—its examples include “Puppy Promise” and “Cat Commitment”—so the recipient can take part in choosing and preparing for a pet without rushing to meet a holiday deadline.
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- Gift cards are valid online and in store for merchandise, training, grooming, PetSmart PetsHotel and Doggie Day Camp.
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Then make the next step practical: visit a shelter, speak with an adoption counselor, or consider short-term fostering. A plush toy can also act as a symbolic placeholder alongside the promise, but it does not resolve whether the household is ready.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where should you look for a pet?
ASPCA recommends considering shelters and rescue organizations. If the recipient has a particular breed or puppy in mind and no suitable shelter match is available, its guidance is to seek a responsible breeder. ASPCA’s puppy-gifting guidance warns against buying puppies from online sellers or pet stores. Take time to assess the source and the animal’s fit rather than letting the gift deadline decide.
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