Cats and dogs do not make for good Christmas presents, according to Emma Hamill, Animal Centre Manager at Victoria BC SPCA.

Owning a cat, dog, or even rabbit comes with a lot of responsibility and is a huge undertaking, especially if you are not used to caring for a living animal, Hamil said.

B次元官网网址淪urprise presents are especially advised against doing such a thing,B次元官网网址� Hamil said. B次元官网网址淚n our application, it says, Are you going to give this animal as a gift?B次元官网网址�

Adopting an animal from a shelter or an organization like the BC SPCA can be excellent. Still, it is important to remember that rescue animals can come with massive trauma, said Hamil.

B次元官网网址淲hat I recommend to folks when they bring a rescue animal into the home is the 333 rule,B次元官网网址� said Hamil. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 three days to settle in, three weeks until theyB次元官网网址檙e feeling safe, starting to show their personality, and then three months until theyB次元官网网址檙e completely safe.B次元官网网址�

If someone does decide to buy a pet as a present, it is important to remember that this gift can be a 20-year commitment, especially if you are getting a kitten, she said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a decision that you should look at as a commitment for 10 to sometimes 20 years. They can live quite a long time if youB次元官网网址檙e getting a cat. So really doing your research is important.B次元官网网址�

Generally, the BC SPCA does not have people returning animals because they were a gift, according to Hamil. The pets surrendered to the BC SPCA are being given up due to lack of housing, behaviours or medical problems.

Cats, dogs, rabbits or birds all come with their separate challenges, Hamil said.

B次元官网网址淐ats are a little bit more independent, whereas dogs take a little bit more work, training, adapting, you have to be prepared to exercise and stimulates their brains.B次元官网网址�

Hamil said that if a parent is thinking about getting their child a present, it will most likely be the mum and dad responsible for feeding, walking and any vet bills that might arise.

B次元官网网址淩esearch, educate and ensure that whoever receives that present is prepared.B次元官网网址�