Agreed. Even assuming you know the person wants a pet and can handle a pet, you're still robbing them of choice in what pet they get. The poodle is cute and all, but little timmy really would've preferred a border collie.

Pretty much the only scenario I can agree with gifting a pet is if you know they want one, know they can handle one, and finally when it comes to the actual gift giving, it starts off with a trip to the animal shelter so they can pick their own companion.