Are you thinking that an adorable ball of fur would make the perfect present under the Christmas tree this year? The RSPCA ACT says gifting yourself a fluffy, feathered, or scaley friend can be okay if you are ready for a new family member, but strongly advises against choosing one for friends or relatives.
“Please don’t. It’s not a great surprise; it’s a terrible surprise,” says RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson. “We don’t recommend that you gift a pet to somebody because it’s a massive commitment. That person needs to want a pet.”
Ms Robertson says the RSPCA has a very particular process when matching an animal to its future owner; they want to create bonds to last the duration of your pet’s life. When choosing an animal, prospective owners have to take into account their lifestyle, home environment, preferences, and finances, she says.
“You can’t give somebody a Great Dane if they don’t have the physical space or financial means to look after a giant breed dog. It’s not a decision to take lightly.”
If your friend or relative has shown interest in getting a pet, Ms Robertson says that you could talk to them and ask how they would feel if you were to get them a pet. She recommends asking about their preferences and requirements or, even better, getting them an RSPCA gift card so they can choose their own pet to adopt.
“We want that animal to stay with that person forever and if you just lump on your friend a surprise puppy, they might really like the puppy because puppies are cute, and kittens are cute. But if they didn’t really want that puppy, it’s a massive commitment. You must want that or else it’s a terrible idea,” she says.
Understanding not everyone wants to adopt, as they may be after a breed-specific kitten or puppy, she implores people to ensure they are going to reputable breeders.
Ms Robertson says a lot of people won’t know what to look for in a reputable breeder, just as she didn’t long ago when she bought home her first animals. It is important to do research, make sure the breeder has all the right registrations and licences, and that you have seen the environment that the parent animals are living in. She says some of the identifiers include the way the breeder interacts with you in the process, including not pressing you for money, and being transparent at every step.
“A reputable breeder will have all of the paperwork, they will insist that you come and actually visit them because they want to make sure that you’re okay as well because they genuinely care about their animals.”
Ms Robertson says staff and volunteers at RSPCA ACT deeply care for all the animals they look after, with 230 currently being helped, including 100 animals on their surrender list. If you are considering a new family member, she urges everyone to consider adoption.
To support the animals in care at RSPCA ACT, you can become a ‘Guardian Angel’ this Christmas by donating online at rspca-act.org.au
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