Gifting Animals

’Tis the gift giving season! Why not give an animal as a gift to that animal-lovin’ family member or friend? After all, wouldn’t that make a positive difference in the animal’s and person’s life?

Hmmmm. Let’s take a few minutes and think about that from a true kinship perspective.

The dictionary defines ‘gift’ as “a thing given willingly to someone”.

An animal is a sentient being, not a thing.

Gifting one sentient being to another makes one an owner, the other a possession. The animal is then relegated (usually unconsciously) to the same category as electronics, clothes, gift cards and holiday baskets, making them a commodity.

What about regifting?. What if the animal and person are not a good match and the person decides to regift the animal? This could involve taking them to a local shelter which may be a kill shelter, turn them out to fend for themselves or say they’re free to a good home. Which, by the way, free to a good home can be a special nightmare all unto itself.

So in a nutshell, even with the best of intentions, gifting an animal can create undue harm and anxiety for the animal.

Remember, good intentions can and do sometimes have harmful impacts.

In Episode #50 of my podcast True Kinship With Animals, poet and wordsmith Tracie Nichols talks about the importance of the words we use with animals. At one point she says:

“Because we think “Oh I know what I’m saying. It doesn’t matter that I used that word ‘pet’ or ‘my cat Strider’ you know, it doesn’t matter because I know I think of him as family.” But at the same time there is this subtle reinforcement that goes on whenever we use that demeaning term again. Whether we’re referring to animals, or humans, or you know, groups of people, whatever it is, there is this subtle reinforcement that keeps driving those assumed points home.”

By the way, if you haven’t heard the conversation Tracie and I had in Episode #50 yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

The same applies to our actions with animals. If you continue to think it doesn’t matter because you know the animal is going to a good home, subtle reinforcements of colonized culture and assumptions continue to be made. These are then passed on as acceptable, common practices strengthening the colonized belief that humans have dominion over animals.

Sentient beings are not “gifts”. They are not property to be given away. It’s time we stop viewing them like this, no matter the dogma of the dominant culture.

Here’s an invitation for you to join me on this path of true kinship with animals. My work is devoted to helping you show up in the world for animals from the fullness of your authentic self. I hope this encourages you to look at your relationship with animals differently so that a new place of understanding begins to open for you.

Just for today remember: We all do better when all creatures do better. Until next time, take good care!

Janet Roper is an animist, podcaster, intuitive practitioner, non-traditional animal communicator, mentor and educator who for 20+ years has helped people restructure their relationship with animals. Two of her most popular resources are her monthly newsletter and her 5 email introductory series to her signature program Deepen. Visit her website and give her podcast True Kinship With Animals a listen.