No one loves me that much, I was deprived.
However, I read an article that many beardies are given for Christmas but then neglected. It made me sad.
Yes, that's unfortunately often the case with especially what is considered a "small" pet. Rabbits for Easter is a sad typical one.
I would never give a pet as a gift except for when it is already a planned pet that comes into the family, all adults are fine with caring for it, and the child gets it "symbolically" for birthday, Christmas or another special day.
Parents agree on there will be a pet in the family, and as a surprise it will be there on birthday etc.? Fine IMHO.
Surprise gift to the child from outside of the family, or gifted to an adult, teenager... who will be solely responsible for the pet without having planned to get one (like "so you won't be so lonely in your dorm room" and here it is)? Please don't do so. Can also pose huge stress on people who really don't want to neglect a pet, but just cannot or want keep one right now.
My opinion on that.
(As a kid, I once got my birds for birthday. In retrospect, this was fine:
I wanted a bird. My parents secretly informed themselves regarding the care, bought everything that's needed. I was shown the birds at a breeder, to know a bit better than just from pictures how they are. I still wanted "a bird". They bought a couple instead of just one right before my birthday (I guess they were with the cage at my grandma's for some days). And then on my birthday, big surprise, the birds were really there despite I had been told that it was just a visit and we won't get any
No problem. I indeed cared well for them, and if not, my parents had taken over and of course did so when I was not at home (like: school trip, hospital).
If, however, somebody had given me a pet as an adult "so you won't be so lonely in your small room" (student) or "I thought you like it" (randomly), it would make me angry - then suddenly having the responsibility I not wanted at that time, because if wanting/ being okay with that responsibility, I had been able to get such a pet on my own. And it really might not fit: lack of space, time, won't fit other plans that just can't be postponed reasonably.
Once somebody asked me whether I would want one of their kittens to keep me company. Luckily, they just asked and had not brought it over yet to leave it with me - it would have just not worked out, with living in a tiny 1-room apartment barely making ends meet and often just coming home to sleep.)
