Great Gifts For New Pet Parents

So your kids or someone you know is getting a new pet for Christmas. Here’s the thing. An estimated 6 – 8 million dogs and cats will end up in shelters in 2010 and of those, half will be euthanized. Add to that all the other critters, from gerbils and hamsters to ponies and pigs, that will be abandoned and the numbers are staggering.

One of the primary reasons that pets are cast aside is because new owners simply don’t know what they’re getting themselves into. We’ve become a throw-away society entrenched in a disposable or one-use mindset, which extends, sadly, even to our animals. Add to that some of the slick marketing techniques used to encourage you to buy a pet – easy payment terms, money back guarantees, misleading sales pitches – and it’s all too easy to come home with Fido or Hammie and without the slightest idea of what it requires to take care of him.

That said, here are a few ideas that might help the potential “parent” (and solve your gift-giving dilemma) before another creature is dumped at a shelter.

1. Pet Rescue Video Games. Recently-released games for Nintendo Wii and hand-held players aim to show kids, in a fun and interactive way, what it takes to care for and rescue animals.

Knowledge Adventure, in Torrance, CA has produced Jumpstart Pet Rescue, a Wii game, for children ages three to six. Kids create an avatar that they use to move through different neighborhoods while searching for lost pets.

Ubisoft, a French company, is offering hand-held games designed for children ages six to 14. With Pet Adoption Center for Nintendo DS – Rescue and Care for all Kinds of Pets the child will care for and help find homes for cats, dogs, bunnies, horses, guinea pigs and even deer.  The Petz series includes Petz Hamsterz 2, Petz Bunnyz, as well as Petz Dogz Pack and Petz Catz Clan and several others. Available for Nintendo DS (and soon Sony PSP) you will be able to train and play with your pet and customize his environment with toys and other items.

If your child is a Barbie fan then Barbie Pet Rescue, by Vivendi Universal, might be just the ticket. Your kid will help Barbie and her sister, Stacey, nurse the animals back to help, play with them and go on rescue missions to save pets.

2. Give the Gift of Training. Obviously this isn’t for someone who’s getting a hamster. But if a puppy is joining the household then some basic training is essential in order that everyone knows their place and can get along.

There are lots of inexpensive training aids from books to videos to online classes. The one I prefer is Sessions With Cesar, Cesar Millan’s online course, which is available in three, six or twelve month plans. The course not only covers the basics, it allows you to individualize your training for the needs of your pet. And you’ll have access to the community forum where you can ask others for advice on any problems you encounter. What’s more, you’ll be contributing to the Sessions rescue program.

If your budget allows, private or group training is an option. Search your local area for accredited trainers or ask knowledgeable friends for recommendations or try PetSmart, their lessons begin at $109.

3. Microchip a Pet. Chances are, if the pet came from a shelter, it will already have a microchip. This is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice, that’s implanted between the pet’s shoulder blades. The chip contains a code that is registered to the owner. Should Fido or Miss Kitty get lost, the chip can be read with a handheld device (most vets and shelters will have one) and your precious pet will be returned home.

Microchips must be implanted by a veterinarian. You shouldn’t have to pay more than about $50 for the insertion and registration combined, though I’ve heard quotes from $25 to $150. I suggest you call around; check local shelters, too, as they may offer special deals. Also, ask what scanner they use and which microchip company they recommend, then do a little homework to make sure it’s not a proprietary chip that other types of scanner can’t read.

4. Pet Insurance. No-one expects their new family member to fall ill, yet the odds are probably in favor of something happening sooner rather than later, especially if the animal has an uncertain origin such as a pet store, where many dogs and cats come from puppy and kitten mills.

For a cat, expect to pay $15 – $20 a month; dogs will run in the range of $22 – $30. As with people insurance, there will be deductibles and percentage payments that the owner will have to pick up in the event of health care being needed. But your gift might just be the difference between Bonzo staying in his new home or being put down.

Companies that offer pet insurance are VPI Pet Insurance, Petplan, Pets Best Insurance, PetCare Insurance. You can also get insurance through the ASPCA and the AKC.

5. Magazine Subscriptions. This may seem old hat but there are magazines on just about every pet you can imagine and they offer a host of helpful information and resources for the new pet parent. Just go to amazon.com and search for your particular pet species and you’ll find something to suit every budget.

6. Books. As with the magazines, there’s something for everyone. Search amazon.com or AbeBooks.com.

7. Pet Gift Basket. For a more traditional gift, how about making up a gift “basket” by filling a pet bed with food, treats, toys, grooming tools and so on. For a puppy you might include wee wee pads and teething toys. For kittens, a scratching post and nail clippers might be a good idea. For smaller critters like rats and hamsters, how about a big bag of bedding (not cedar) and hide toys in it?

8. Pet-sitting/Daycare. Will Lassie be left alone for long periods of time? A dog alone can be a recipe for disaster. Boredom can lead to destructive behavior. Consider a gift of a dog-walker or doggy daycare. Check local listings or search online and be sure to get references. Daycare prices usually run about $25 a day but you might find a dog-walker/pet-sitter for as little as $10 an hour.

9. Gift Your Own Time. Offer to walk the dog, feed the cat, pet-sit the guinea pig when the family are away. There are many things you might do to help keep the home functioning smoothly. You could even help with training.

“Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, your ornaments shine temptingly…” ~ The Cat