A puppy for Christmas? Not so fast. – USA Today

There might be nothing more adorable than the sight of a fluffy puppy or kitten bounding around the corner to surprise its new owner.

Americans have a long tradition of gifting pets for holidays, birthdays and other occasions, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But before you give someone the present of a pet, it’s important to consider the enormous responsibility of life-long care and other factors when it comes to responsible pet ownership.

“The sentiment is great,” says Ashley Beard, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the co-owner of Sage Veterinary Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, about wanting to gift someone a new pet. But making it a surprise is not the best idea.

“I always think it's good if you're getting (a pet) with a partner or a significant other, to have the conversation of, ‘Are we ready to take on this responsibility for sure?’ and making sure everybody's in the same place,” she says.

The American Veterinary Medical Association similarly advises against surprising someone with a pet, says president Michael Q. Bailey.

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