I still think it’s a poor idea to give someone a pet for Christmas. Here are the possible problems:

•    The recipient doesn’t really want an animal
•    The recipient does not have the capacity to take care of a pet
•    The possibility of the recipient having insufficient funds to care for an animal, even if they do want it.

I think if someone wants a pet, he/she should be the one to pick it out. By investing in the survival and health of a companion animal from the very beginning, the responsibility for its care will be more realistic. “Owning” an animal is quite different than “owning” a new bike, a CD player or a new set of golf clubs. The exchange goes on for the lifetime of the pet, and this can be very long indeed!