There is an image portrayed in the media at this time of year, of a gorgeous puppy being pulled from a shiny red box, next to a tree, on Christmas Day. Thanks to this message, at one time or another, most children have hoped to awaken on Christmas morning to find a puppy wrapped in a pretty bow. And who can blame them? Companion animals provide a wealth of fulfilment and fun and joy for many — not to mention how beautiful they are. However, while kids can be forgiven for not understanding the commitment that an animal brings, big or small, the same cannot be said for some adults who may purchase an animal around Christmas time.
In an article published last year, Dogs Trust (dogstrust.org.uk) revealed that they received a call every five minutes — amounting to 3,596 calls — from people looking to give up their dogs in the weeks following Christmas. In the same article, Dogs Trust offers examples of reasons given by owners, ranging from “I got him as a secret Santa present” to “He was panting too much.” But it isn’t just dogs or puppies being given as gifts around Christmas — the issue stretches to cats and kittens, as well as to smaller animals such as guinea pigs and hamsters.