PSA: Please don't give animals as Christmas gifts.

[Treant]

15. We did this once, but

the person already wanted a cat, and we merely paid for said cat. He picked out the cat at the ASPCA and we wrote the check.

Then, when he died, we adopted said cat as he'd known us his entire life already anyway. He took a while to adjust, but turned around and attached to us perfectly well. That was one great animal.

However, that's the only case where I'd give an animal as a gift--I write the check, the person in question makes the choice (and can say no at any time during the process and I'll get them a sweater or something instead).