Most shelters will not allow the adoption of a pet as a gift to someone else.  There are many reasons for this.  In order to protect both the pet (which is the main job of a shelter), and the potential adopter, all rescues have procedures that they follow. As much as it hurts to tell an enthusiastic gift-giver “no”, the shelters must do so.  Here are a few of the reasons why you should never give a pet as a gift: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.  SEVEN REASONS YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER GIVING A PET AS A GIFT ARE YOU SURE THEY WANT A PET? When I worked as an Adoption Counselor, I had two ladies come in to look at dogs to adopt. On speaking with them, I learned that they were sisters, looking for a dog to take home to their 70+ year old mother.  It seems their mother’s beloved dog had just passed away, and the daughters thought it…

Why do people surrender their pets?  Many people think that dogs and cats in shelters are somehow flawed.  Otherwise, why would an owner surrender them?  But the reasons are as varied as the owner’s lifestyles and core beliefs.  Most pets are NOT given up due to serious behavior issues. WHY DO PEOPLE SURRENDER THEIR PETS? A DEATH IN THE FAMILY Often a much-loved pet is owned by someone living alone.  When that person dies, no one in the family is willing or able to make the pet a new member of their own family.  So, the poor animal is surrendered to a shelter. These pets are frightened and confused – and just need some time to regain their equilibrium.  Imagine waking up one morning, being driven to a strange place, and left, sometimes after years of love and attention from your human.  You’d be shell-shocked, too. ADOPTING AN ANIMAL AFTER THE DEATH OF THEIR OWNER Honestly, some pets will mourn their owners for a very long time.  Others will bounce back pretty quickly.  Adopting an animal from this situation will take…

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY? An allergy is the body’s reaction to something it considers to be dangerous.  Even if, by itself, the allergen is not dangerous, this does not affect the likelihood of an allergic attack.  The body then sends out histamines to repel what it considers to be an invader. Where pets are concerned, the sensitivity is generally to dog or cat dander (pieces of skin shed by animals), to urine, or to saliva. WHICH PET IS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSE ALLERGIES? Cats are more often the reason for an allergic reaction than dogs.  And, strangely, female cats tend to cause more sensitivity than males.   Dogs are only 50% as likely to cause allergic reactions in humans than are cats. ARE PET ALLERGIES BECOMING MORE COMMON? The answer seems to be “yes”. Although it was once believed that children were healthier being protected from exposure to dirt, animals, and dust, the opposite seems to be true.  Babies growing up with dogs or cats are actually LESS likely to develop allergies. WHAT DOES AN ALLERGIC REACTION LOOK LIKE? Allergic reactions, just…

WHAT IS THE BEST PET FOR ME? Many people start thinking of bringing a pet into a family when they buy their first home.  Or maybe when they settle down with a partner.  Or when they have kids and want the little ones to grow up with a pet.  Sometimes even a separation or divorce will prompt a person to look for an animal to provide companionship.  So, when do you know that bringing a pet into your family and home is the right decision? ARE YOU?...... Willing to keep a less than immaculate house? I’m not saying that you have to settle for a dirty, disorganized home here, but you have to recognize that pets come with fur, and muddy paws, and sloppy eating and drinking. What may have been a pristine living room before pets, will show a little wear and tear around the edges, no matter how much you clean.  If keeping your home spotless at all times is important to you, then you should plan on getting a small bird, guinea pig or rat, or a fish…