Dear editor,
Pets are one of the greatest gifts on this planet – but they don’t make good presents. With Christmas rapidly approaching and festive shopping in full swing, the RSPCA wanted to urge people not to buy a pet as a pressie this Christmas.
Pets can be a truly wonderful addition to our lives – they bring us joy, companionship, stability, and so much more. But whether they are small or large, furry or scaly, each is unique with their own thoughts, feelings and welfare needs. Helping pets experience happy and healthy lives requires a lot of responsibility and takes huge commitment.
Taking on an animal is something that needs to be carefully considered by the person who is going to be responsible for their day-to-day care so they can be certain that they’re equipped with the knowledge and everything they need to help them thrive in the home.
There’s so much to consider, from having the time to dedicate to, and spend with, that pet and their wellbeing, as well as making sure they have the right place to live, the associated costs to give them suitable food, buying them toys and bedding which allows them to behave normally, and veterinary costs such as vaccinations and parasite treatment.
Sadly, at the RSPCA, we see animals every day who have been abandoned or neglected by owners who simply didn’t understand the commitment of caring for them, or best to care for them, before they brought them home. And the cost of living crisis has really added to this problem which we are highlighting in our Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.
Not all surprises are good surprises, and that includes a pet under the Christmas tree. So please don’t buy a furry friend as a gift this festive season.
If your loved one is fully prepared to add a pet to their life, take them along to a rescue centre to meet all of the animals in their care and let them find their perfect match.
Dr Samantha Gaines
RSPCA Pet Welfare Expert
