Giving Puppies as Gifts: What to Consider When Gifting a Pet

Heartwarming videos of people receiving puppies as surprise gifts occasionally make their way around TikTok and Instagram, and it’s hard not to be moved by the happy tears and joyful reactions. But charming though these videos may be, they often don’t reveal whether or not these puppies were given with careful consideration. Puppies require a lot of time, attention, and care, so the person gifting a puppy must make sure that the recipient is prepared for the responsibility.

The recipient’s lifestyle, experience with pets, and living situation should all be taken into account when gifting a puppy. Failing to do so can have serious consequences: Each year, around 3.9 million dogs end up in U.S. animal shelters, and 20 percent of those dogs are there because their families didn’t have the time or resources to care for a pet. While the recipient of a puppy as a gift will likely love their dog, they may not be in the best situation to give their pet the care they need.

So, before you put a puppy under the Christmas tree, take time to consider whether giving a dog as a gift is the right choice for the intended recipient.

Do pets make good gifts?

The question of whether pets make good gifts is a complex one. Some shelters and rescues don’t allow people to adopt pets to give away as gifts unless they’re gifting to someone within their household, like a parent for their child, with the parent remaining responsible for the pet’s care. Some shelters do not have restrictions at all on the “transfer of ownership” once a pet is adopted, so it is up to the adopter to make the best decision for the pet and for the person to whom they are gifting the pet.

Questions to ask before gifting a puppy

Before you decide to give a loved one a puppy as a gift, take time to find out if their lifestyle is right for a dog — or if they even want one right now — by asking the following questions:

• Is the recipient able and willing to commit to 10 to 15 years of caring for a dog?

• Does the recipient have an allergy to pet dander?

• Does the recipient work from home or have a job that allows them to properly care for a puppy?

• Does the recipient live in an apartment or rental, and if so, does their lease allow pets?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you should probably avoid giving a puppy as a gift, at least not without talking to the recipient first. Consider taking your loved one to visit a shelter instead to spend time with dogs and puppies without committing to the long-term care of a pet. You can also give the recipient a gift certificate to a shelter or rescue organization so they can make the best decision for themselves.

What should I consider before gifting a puppy?

A puppy is more than a cute bundle of fur (although they’re definitely that, too!). That adorable puppy will need training, regular vet visits, vaccinations, food, and numerous supplies to stay happy and healthy throughout their life. One of the most important things to know before gifting a puppy (or adopting one yourself) is that a dog is a 10-to-15-year commitment. That’s a gift with a lot of strings attached and one that requires careful thought and planning.

Picking the perfect pet

If you are giving a pet as a gift to someone in your household, make sure the recipient has said they are ready to make a lifelong commitment to caring for a pet, not that you just think they want a pet. Instead of gifting a puppy, consider gifting the adoption fee and let the recipient participate in the selection process. You may find that bounding Labrador adolescent adorable, but your mom may see a huge time and exercise commitment (not to mention a serious shoe-destruction risk) and really want to adopt a calmer, likely-past-the-worst-chewing-stage adult dog (or even a cat). So, before you buy a dog as a gift, consider the recipient’s lifestyle and needs, as well as what they want in a pet — or whether they want a pet at all.

How to give a gift-wrapped pet

Before you start thinking of creative ways to give a pet as a gift, consider a simpler approach. We’ve seen smart shelters offer pet adoption gift certificates, which the gifter can wrap in a box with a stuffed animal to put under the tree. You can even include a card offering to go with them to the shelter or rescue to pick out a pet to adopt.

Gifting pets to children

While deciding to get a puppy for kids is a great way to put smiles on children’s faces, it requires plenty of thought and discussion beforehand. Parents or other relatives should know that children or teenagers may promise they will be fully responsible for a puppy’s care, but they may not realize the time and effort involved. Gift-givers should discuss pet adoption in detail and make sure a resident adult is willing to take full responsibility for the pet getting the exercise, training, feeding, and vet care they need — for the pet’s entire life.

Timing is everything

Holidays are often chaotic, with friends and family visiting, frequent travel, and unusual work schedules. If this sounds like the home where you are gifting the pet, we suggest waiting until the puppy’s new home calms down first, so everyone will have the time to give the puppy the attention and regular routine they need to settle in. Perhaps give pet supplies as the actual holiday gifts — like a new leash and collar, a pet bed, or lots of toys — and let the recipient know that your gift includes the adoption fee for the pet of their choice after the holiday frenzy has passed.

Commonly asked questions

Is it a good idea to give a puppy as a gift?

It’s generally not a good idea to give a pet as a gift to anyone outside your immediate family. Parents can give a puppy to their kids or partner, but only after a detailed discussion about the responsibility involved.

Should I surprise someone with a puppy?

A puppy should never be a surprise. Instead, offer to take your loved one to a shelter or adoption agency and pay the adoption fee for their new pet. This allows them to choose the pet they want and prepare for the commitment of pet parenthood.

What if the recipient can’t keep the puppy?

If the recipient can’t keep a gifted puppy, they’ll likely have to be rehomed or returned to the shelter or rescue, which can be traumatizing for the dog. It’s important to determine if the recipient can invest in pet parenthood beforehand.

References

Should Dogs and Cats Be Given as Gifts?

ASPCA: Pet Statistics