28/02/2020
You may have seen those videos on social media where unsuspecting loved ones are given gift boxes to open and their reaction from a smile, to being surprised to breaking down into tears when they will see or discover what is inside the box which is a cute puppy or kitten innocently coming out of the box. These videos or reactions are gaining millions of viewers on social media, an instant TREND or FAME on the video creator or the content. But do we really consider that a PET or having or giving a pet is a lifetime commitment? These animals lifespan may reach an average of 10 years to even 20 years, these years would include: play time, providing good shelter, hygiene, healthy food & water, vaccinations, other vet bills especially if the animal will get sick… Is the gift recipient ready for that responsibility? Is not it that you are actually giving that person a lifetime responsibility as a gift? As precious and appealing as those moments might be and as good as your intentions are, taking care of an animal should not be taken lightly.
Whether or not to give cats or dogs as a gift, these matters should be considered:
1.) Is the recipient ready for the full lifetime responsibility from physical, emotional and financial, maybe to stretch an already tight budget?
2.) The infant to junior days/months might be cute at first from tumbling down, nipping, jumping and constantly seeking for attention but it might turn into behavioral concerns when the animals will not outgrow these habits and will bring them to adulthood. The fun stops, when they will miss using the litter box, or resort to biting or ruining furniture or excessive barking to seek attention. Is the gift recipient able to handle these possible behaviors?
3.) Is the gift recipient not allergic to pets from their saliva, dander and waste?
4.) As easily as one could fall in love with a cute animal, one could also just easily lose interest in them as they grow older.
5.) Is an animal be convenient on the future life plans of the gift recipient? In example: when they get married, relocating homes (especially if they do not own those homes), working or migrating abroad, sickness in the family and many others.
6.) Do you know that abandoning an animal is a crime?
There are a lot of SAD REALITIES for some of these gift animals, from ending into the shelters or to being abandoned/neglected and being abused. In the Philippines, sadly, abandonment of animals, dogs in particular, continues to be happening or even a trend or be even considered normal.
Republic Act. No. 8485 or the animal welfare act of 1998 is all about Animal Rights. Animals are not toys or just objects that can be given away on an impulse, they are LIVING SENTIENT BEINGS just like us only VOICELESS and need to be seen and treated that way – with LOVE and UTMOST CARE.
Joan D.V. Alcudia
(Advocate - Furry Hearts ♥)
