Sazar for Professional Pet Sitting Etc
Pets
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as
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Gifts
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Author, Dorinne Whynott, Owner of Professional Pet Sitting Etc.
You have a pet lover on your gift list and thought a new pet would be the perfect gift.
Please think long and hard before giving a living breathing animal as a gift. Pets as gifts require many things to consider.
The times that many people think of giving a pet as a gift are Birthdays, Easter, Christmas and after a person has lost a beloved pet. Weeks and months after a pet is given at these times is also the times these pets may be given up. If not given up, the pets may enjoy a wonderful life but the joy of choosing one’s own pet was not given.
The one thing I have witnessed over and over again in all the years that I have been in animal welfare is when an animal chooses a person, the bond is special. If you have ever been chosen by a pet, you know what I mean.
Keep in mind –
- Adding a pet to a family is a very personal choice.
- Not every pet is right for every family
- Not every family is right for every pet
- What you may think is the perfect pet maybe the last thing the person receiving would actually get for themselves.
- A person may prefer to add a dog instead of getting another cat or may decide to add a cat instead of another dog.
- Maybe they prefer a male over a female or the other way around.
- Maybe they absolutely love black but would never consider another black pet because it reminds them of the one they lost and it would be too painful.
If there was a loss of a pet, and they are grieving, many people think getting another pet to replace that pet will help. Keep in mind, a pet that was deeply loved can never be replaced. Grieving is a very individualized thing. Some people do well with adding a pet soon after that loss, some take much longer. It took me 5 years after losing my Siberian Husky before I was ready for another dog. If you bring a pet to a grieving person who may not be ready, you may add to that grieving if they must give up the new pet as well.
Adding a pet to a family is a decision that is a long term decision. Dogs and cats can live 15-20 years or more. Large bird breeds can live upwards of 50 years and it is advised to put them in your will and trust (all pets should be as well).
Then there is the financial aspect of owning pets. In the first year, expenses can run into $1000-2000 with pet food, vaccines, spay/neuter, etc. If it is a pet that has medical issues that are not known when acquired, it could be higher.
A pet as a present will require a lot of time and money from the person that will be receiving the pet. Can they handle this? Do they want to? There is a lot to consider and if this will be a surprise, you may think you know all the answers but maybe the reason this person has not gone out to get a new pet is because it is not the right time.
So, should you throw this idea out the window? Not necessarily. Here are some ideas on giving the gift of a pet without actually giving a pet. This way, when the recipient is ready, all they have to do is choose.
You can make up a basket or fill a decorated box with everything they need. Or fill a crate or pet carrier. Fill with everything on our list (lucky person and pet) or choose just a few.
Ideas For Dogs –
- A note letting the person know that when they are ready you will be happy to take them to choose their pet
- A note stating that you will pay for the pet of their choice
- Pet Care Gift Certificate for mid day let out for a puppy while they are at work or dog walking for their new dog or whenever they may need a pet care visit at their home from a professional pet sitting company (Professional Pet Sitting Etc has gift certificates in any amount)
- Pooper Scooper
- Pet waste bags and carrier
- Leashes, collars, harness
- Pet Identification
- Pet Video Camera
- Pet GPS
- Microchipping
- Training Gift Certificate
- Training/behavior books and videos
- Pet Insurance
- Animal Hospital Gift Certificate
- Care Credit information (this is a special line of credit to be used for your pet whenever it is needed. This can be used for regular or unexpected medical, emergencies, etc. Depending on the amount, you could have up to 6 months interest free to pay off the balance. Bonus is that this can also be used for human medical and dental as well!)
- Pet Food (enough for a few days, a week, a month)
- Grooming Gift Certificate
- Brushes, combs
- Nail Clippers
- Toys of all sorts
- Treats
- Beds, blankets
Ideas For Cats –
- A note letting the person know that when they are ready you will be happy to take them to choose their pet
- A note stating that you will pay for the pet of their choice
- Pet Care Gift Certificate for Litter box cleaning while they are at work or whenever they may need a pet care visit at their home from a professional pet sitting company (Professional Pet Sitting Etc has gift certificates in any amount)
- Litter Scoops
- Litterboxes (at least two)
- Leashes, collars, harness
- Pet Identification
- Pet Video Camera
- Pet GPS
- Microchipping
- Training/behavior books and videos
- Pet Insurance
- Animal Hospital Gift Certificate
- Care Credit information (this is a special line of credit to be used for your pet whenever it is needed. This can be used for regular or unexpected medical, emergencies, etc. Depending on the amount, you could have up to 6 months interest free to pay off the balance. Bonus is that this can also be used for human medical and dental as well!)
- Pet Food (enough for a few days, a week, a month)
- Grooming Gift Certificate
- Brushes, combs
- Scratching posts and trees of all sizes
- Nail Clippers
- Toys of all sorts (especially laser and feather toys)
- Treats
- Beds, blankets
If you are planning on giving another type of pet such as a bird, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, duckling, chick, etc. Please do ALOT of research. There are Facebook groups for all of these pets and more. Ask questions on what they would love as a gift for complete care for the type of pet you are considering.
If your friend rents, please check and find out what is allowed. If you are thinking of a German Shepherd puppy and the rental agreement only allows cats and dogs under 25 pounds, that will be a bit disappointing.
If you are thinking of a horse, pony, ducks, chickens, goats, etc. You may need to check with the city your friend lives in to make sure that their home is zoned for such animals. Also, these are animals that will need a building for them to be housed in. You may need to do further research for housing plans, costs and make sure there is room and zoning for that as well. Ducks and chickens may also be in danger of wildlife in the area, so please take that into consideration.
What are some ideas that you can give to a Pet Lover without giving an actual Pet?
If they already have pets –
- Pet Care Gift Certificates – they can always use help with pet care if they go out to dinner and need a supper visit or a dog walk when they are gone all day(Professional Pet Sitting Etc has gift certificates in any amount)
- Animal Hospital Gift Certificate
- Really anything on the above two lists will work
If they do not have any pets and a new pet is not right at this time –
- Donate to a local shelter or animal organization in the person’s name
- Donate to a local shelter or animal organization in the person’s pet’s name
Happy Gift Giving !!
About the Owner/Author
Dorinne Whynott, is a long time animal professional. She is a successful business owner establishing one of the largest pet sitting companies in New Hampshire since 1990. Click to Read her complete History.
Professional Pet Sitting Etc. is a leading business in the pet care field and continues to grow since 1990. It boasts 30+ amazing pet sitters on staff, over 3000 clients in 38 cities from Nashua to Concord, NH. Hundreds of satisfied client testimonials can be found on their website and more 5 star reviews on their Facebook page, Google+ page and more. They have sustained an A+ rating with the BBB and are unmatched in the Pet Sitting Industry in New Hampshire.
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Contact us by phone at 603-888-8088
Email Profpetsit@aol.com
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