{"id":3388,"date":"2020-12-05T05:12:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-05T11:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=3388"},"modified":"2026-05-15T09:01:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:01:44","slug":"shipping-a-pet-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/shipping-a-pet-for-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"All I Want for Xmas is My Kitten Delivered – The Complete Guide to Shipping Holiday Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/span>Imagine surprising your child, partner, or loved one with a\u00a0 gorgeous wriggly puppy or silky soft kitten under the Christmas tree. <\/span>Now that\u2019s a Christmas to remember! A pet is a classic Christmas gift\u00a0 – but there are some critical do\u2019s and don\u2019ts to consider before committing to this memorable gift. Not only should you only gift an animal if you intend for it to have a forever home, but there are precautions to take when shipping. Read on for the complete guide to selecting and shipping a pet for Christmas.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Find Your Perfect Pet<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first step in giving the perfect pet present for Christmas is finding your perfect gift. As traditional pet stores become less and less common, many future pet owners will look to specialized breeders<\/a> or even better, animal shelters, to acquire their new furry friend. Depending on where you live these <\/span>may be located very far away – perhaps even in another state. If you know the breed of dog or cat you want, you can start by contacting local breeders in your area.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to give a rescued animal its forever home, research your local shelter on Facebook, where they often have updated profiles of all the dogs and cats available for adoption. Another option for finding a pet for Christmas would be to check old fashioned classifieds pages both on and offline. You may get lucky here and find your perfect pup!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Think Outside the Box this Christmas!<\/span><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t limit yourself to just a dog or cat. There are <\/span>plenty of pet options out there that make wonderful Christmas presents.<\/b> Perhaps a sweet hedgehog, unusual bird, or even a flock of chickens is the answer! If someone you love has always wanted a pet but struggled with allergies, a fur-less creature such as a reptile or even a fish is a good alternative.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Get Your Timing Right\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you do choose an animal that currently doesn’t live close by, you will need to arrange for it to be transported. To do this properly, timing is everything. Contact your preferred breeder or shelter as early as possible to ensure that you can get your pet under the tree on the big day.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are buying a puppy or kitten there is a strict time period before they can be safely weaned from their mother and sold or adopted out. Shelter dogs on the other hand may need to undergo some health checks or vaccinations before being ready to settle into their forever home. If the place you are planning to get this gift from will sell you a kitten or puppy under 8 weeks of age, please do not give them money.<\/span><\/p>\n

The other timing issue to consider is how you will get your new pet to your home. There are a few different options here.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n