Holiday Gifting: Should Pets Be Adopted as Gifts?
It’s that time of year again. Lights are being strung, carols are being sung, presents are being wrapped, and more pets than ever are being adopted from shelters and rescues. Research shows that, in 2022 and 2023, adoptions increased by roughly 2%-3% during the holiday season, but many people in the animal sheltering industry have mixed feelings about adopting animals as gifts. Is their concern warranted? Let’s parse through two holiday gifting myths and talk about ways to gift animals responsibly during the holiday season.
Holiday Gifting Myths
Many animal welfare organizations have policies prohibiting the practice of adopting animals as gifts, but these policies might be limiting shelters’ abilities to take advantage of increased outcome rates during the holiday season, which can greatly increase shelters’ capacity for care. Let’s talk through two of the most common reasons why shelters are hesitant about gifting during the holiday season:
Owners who don’t choose their own animal end up loving them less: There’s a common belief that owners won’t feel connected to animals who they didn’t personally choose, but the research does not support this myth. The ASPCA conducted a survey of adopters who received their pets as gifts, and 96% of respondents said that they felt that their love and attachment to their pet was unaffected (or even increased) by the fact that they received them as a gift.
Gifted animals are more likely to be returned: This is another common myth that is not supported by research. One study identified that, along with those acquired at pet shops and from vets, gifted dogs were very infrequently relinquished. Another study found that, out of 71 reasons for pet relinquishment, “unwanted gift” was listed as a reason for only 0.35% of relinquished dogs and cats. For comparison, “no time for pet” and "allergies in the family” were listed in 10% and 18% of cases, respectively.
To avoid post-gifting returns, consider asking gifters if they’d be willing to take the pet if the recipient is not able to.
Responsible Holiday Gifting
Though research contradicts some common holiday gifting myths, there are still important considerations for shelters who adopt out during the holiday season. Here are some tips for responsible adoptions during the holidays:
Ask the right questions: If you know that an adopter intends to give an animal as a gift, be sure that they have a firm grasp on the lifestyle, resources, and desires of the person who they are intending to gift to.
Keep detailed records: Create a process for inputting gift adoptions into your organization’s database to avoid crossed wires. For instance, consider giving the gift giver and the recipient each their own personal ID number so that they both appear in your system.
Encourage gift vouchers: The holidays are a hectic time to introduce a new animal into the home. Instead of gifting a physical animal, gifters might consider gifting a “voucher,” which can stand in until the recipient is able to visit the shelter to pick up their pet.
Prioritize follow up: As with any adoption, it’s important to follow up intentionally. Post-adoption support is a helpful tool to ensure that recipients are adjusting well to the new addition to their home.
If you’re still struggling with your stance on holiday gifting, consider seeking the help of a professional. Laurie Lawless offers remote coaching sessions tailored to the unique needs of your shelter. Check out the Shelter Behavior Integrations website to schedule a free discovery call.
