Christmas is a time of giving – and sometimes it’s tempting to give the gift of a furry pet. But this time of year, we’d like to remind everyone that a pet for Christmas isn’t a pet only for Christmas.
The Christmas period can be a great time to think about getting a pet – with the holiday period starting there’s more time for the whole family to bond with new pets and help them settle in. But think carefully about where you get your pet from, and the long-term care of your pet. Most cats and dogs live for 15-20 years and don’t stop needing care just because Christmas is over and the novelty has worn off. Can you care for a cat or dog for that long? If you go on holiday, who will care for them? Do you have time to toilet train a new puppy or kitten? And consider long-term health care, particularly for popular and designer breeds.
This holiday season, think hard before you buy that puppy or kitten – there are hundreds of thousands of lovely house-trained adult cats and dogs desperate for a home in our pet rescues who would love you just as much as a bred puppy or kitten. And always remember, pets aren’t Christmas presents – they’re part of the family.
