Giving a cat or dog as a Christmas gift can be a very bad idea if the recipient is not willing to take on a responsibility that could last 20 years and cost thousands of dollars.
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That is the opinion of Dubbo City Council's manager environmental control Debbie Archer, who said it was vital anyone thinking of giving a pet as a gift made sure the animal's prospective owner was involved in the decision and ready to handle the commitment.
"Purchasing a pet is for the lifetime of a pet and with that comes responsibility and costs including food, training, vet fees and registration costs," she said.
And the outlay was not just financial, according to Ms Archer.
"There is an investment in time in that dogs will need to be exercised," she said.
If the discussion to get a pet had taken place and the recipient was ready for the commitment, then Ms Archer recommended purchasing through a reputable breeder or the Dubbo Animal Shelter.
And while kittens and pups were a popular choice older animals, which were often more difficult to find homes for, should by no means be ruled out, Ms Archer said.
"Adopting an older cat or dog has a lot of advantages including that they have a base level of training, particularly toilet training, and a unique personality has had a chance to develop," she said.
But sadly, despite the best advice, Ms Archer said there was often an influx of unwanted kittens and pups who found their way to the shelter after being given as unwanted gifts.
"It is also kitten season at the moment and we are already seeing a lot of kittens being dropped off," she said.