It's not just a present. It's a big commitment.

Giving a pet as a gift might seem like a good idea – after all, who doesn’t love an adorable new kitten? However, before you get a cat for somebody, there are some key points you should consider first.

Caring for a kitten is a big responsibility, and the gift of a pet should never be a surprise. Rather, make sure the recipient really, truly wants a kitten and understands everything that goes in hand with being a pet owner. It’s not all playing and cuddles. It’s a big commitment of both time and money, too. You might also consider helping prepare the recipient’s house for a new kitten.

Extra special consideration must be taken if the person you’re giving a kitten to is a child, and even more so if it’s a grandchild or a niece or nephew who doesn’t live in your house. Make sure you have permission of the parents, as the mother or father will likely have to help out with the responsibilities of pet ownership.

And while it’s heartwarming to think about a little boy or girl meeting his or her new kitten for the first time, the other side of that is the reality that if a child loses interest, it could lead to the pet not getting the proper amount of care that it needs. In the worst-case scenario, the cat could be neglected or end up at a shelter.

One alternative to giving a pet is giving a “pet certificate,” which are offered by some animal shelters. A benefit to giving a pet certificate is that the person you give it to can go and choose his or her new pet, hopefully creating a greater bond between pet and owner.

Remember, it’s not enough for a person to “sort of” want a cat. If you do decide to give a kitten as a gift, be 100% certain that the person you’re giving it to is ready and happy to have that responsibility.