Knowing me, I'd instantly fall in love with the animal and be unable to help myself.

However, if I really, truly, honestly could not come up with a way to keep it, I would explain the situation to the person who gave it to me. I would hope we could work together to return it to wherever it came from or find it a new home as quickly as possible. I wouldn't want the poor little thing to spend a lot of time bonding with me only to be rejected and sent packing.

After reading your question, I am so happy that no one has ever done such a thing to me. I would certainly have to know someone very, very well and be absolutely certain that they wanted any pet at all before I'd even consider it.

There are many articles online which indicate that giving pets at Christmastime is not a great plan. Perhaps this is the time of year in which we should all talk to people we know about it and/or send links out in emails to help discourage those who might do so on a whim.

For example, "During the first few weeks of the new year, animal shelters and humane organizations see a steady stream of cats, dogs, small animals and other pets that were given to someone as a Christmas present or holiday gift."
http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/pets_as_christmas_gifts

If any of you are not 100 percent ready to move a furry baby into your home this year, please make that clear to everyone you know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWMB_tQAuos