Gifting a pet to someone could be dangerous. Yet, friends and relatives pass on puppies or kittens as presents, without realising it may not be a good idea.
The choice to own a pet is one that is made after careful consideration of several things, such as time taken to feed them, walk them, take them to the vet, and other factors such as food and medical expenses and the availability of a trustworthy caretaker for the pet when the family is on vacation.
When a person is given a pet as a gift, he or she has not had the opportunity to evaluate their readiness for a pet and this often ends with the pet suffering serious neglect or abandonment. If it is a dog, he may be doomed to a life of habitual confinement without exercise or company, resulting in severe emotional distress or aggressive behaviour. Many other pets are given insufficient food or water (or none at all) by their owners. “One dog that was ‘gifted’ to his owner was given no water to drink. He was suffering from acute renal failure when we rescued him, but passed away during treatment,” says a volunteer with an animal shelter.
While some pets suffer at the hands of their uninterested owners, hundreds of others are secretly abandoned on the streets by the recipients who do not want to risk conflict by returning the ‘gift’ to the giver. These pets are sometimes dumped in animal shelters and undergo trauma upon being separated from their human families.
It is best to avoid gifting pets or wait till the family gets a pet on their own, after which you can shower them with toys or gifts for the pet that will always be appreciated and welcomed.
FOUND This black Labrador aged 10 months was found with a red collar at Thoraipakkam. If you are the owner and this is your missing pet, call 9790973419
LOST This male mongrel aged four years responds to the name Diddy and went missing near Taylors Road, Kilpauk. If you spot him, please call his worried family at 9500114778 or 9840054859.
TAKE ME HOME Beautiful Blaze is a 45-day-old healthy, vaccinated puppy from a batch of rescues. For adoptions, call 9884270232
TAKE ME HOME Adopt a rescued Indian puppy or his friends and bring home a best pal. Call 9840939281 or 9500047536
TAKE ME HOME This beautiful male kitten is looking for a loving home. He is healthy, friendly and extremely playful. To adopt him, call 9884126094.
TAKE ME HOME This healthy puppy and his siblings are rescued mongrels and are looking for loving homes. Call 9790926532
