MDARD Recommends Careful Consideration Before Giving Pets as Gifts this Holiday Season

Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recommends careful consideration before selecting pets as gifts this holiday season.

"At MDARD, we want nothing more than to see animals go to loving fur-ever homes," said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "However, pets are long-term commitments, requiring a person to have the time, space and other means to ensure they have a healthy, happy permanent home."

Dogs and cats can live for 10 to 15 years or longer. Over their lifetime, they will need training, food, exercise, enrichment, shelter, veterinary care and other necessities. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates the costs for veterinary care alone to be about $600 per year for a dog and $530 per year for a cat. However, these costs can vary widely depending on the breed, age and individual health needs of a particular animal.

Choosing a bird, reptile, amphibian, or smaller mammal does not shrink the responsibilities or expenses that come with owning a pet. Small mammals (like gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits) can live for five to eight years or more; and due to the specifics of their diet, habitats and veterinary needs, they are far from being low-maintenance starter pets.

Pets can be a great addition to a household, but the choice requires intention. Beyond knowing if a person truly wants a new pet, taking the time to consider their lifestyle, schedule, availability and more is fundamentally important to making sure a pet would be a good fit as a gift.

Where a new pet is adopted from can be equally important. Across Michigan, there are over 200 registered animal shelters filled with animals waiting for their forever homes. Among these shelters, there are even ones focused specifically on the care and adoption of small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. Regardless of the species, Michigan animal shelters have many potential pets to offer, and they provide opportunities to learn about, meet and interact with their adoptable animals before making a choice.

MDARD also urges Michiganders to remain vigilant against pet scams. When obtaining a new pet, completing your own research on the breeder or seller before agreeing to spend/send any money to them is vital.

If you have questions related to a large-scale dog breeding kennel or any animal-related facility that appears to be licensed through the State of Michigan, please call MDARD at 800-292-3939.

If you have questions related to small-scale dog breeding kennels, please contact the local unit of government where the seller operates their business.

Beyond looking into the breeder, the Michigan Department of Attorney General encourages those searching for a new pet online to follow these tips:

• Avoid online-only sellers you cannot verify
• Never wire money or use gift cards to pay for a pet
• Meet the pet in person before paying
• Check reviews and ask for references scammers often use fake photos. Conduct a reverse image search of the picture of the pet you are considering to see if the same picture appears on multiple websites
• Report suspicious pet sellers to the Michigan Attorney General

Offering a pet as a gift is an exciting idea, but it is not something that should be done without research and full consideration. Making a mindful, informed choice can ensure pets are properly cared for throughout their lifetime.

For more information on Michigan's registered animal shelters, please visit MDARD's Animal Shelters webpage. For more information on how to identify and protect yourself from scams, please visit the State of Michigan's Consumer Protection website, the Federal Trade Commission's website or the Better Business Bureau.

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