1000s of puppies and kittens are abandoned just after Xmas: Ethical alternatives for pet lovers

If the idea of a crackling fire, mugs of mulled wine, and your children playing with their new puppy on Christmas morning gives you festive cheer, you may want to read this.

It appears we’ve forgotten the old adage: ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’. Impulsive internet searches for ‘puppy present buying’ have soared as people search for the perfect gift.

But some pets don’t cope well with people-filled homes and noisy celebrations - and many of them end up at animal shelters after the festive break. 

On a positive note, many of our pooches are being pampered with gifts and love at Christmas and Hannukah more than their humans, according to a new survey.

Puppy as a present? Why you should think again

In the past week, there’s been an 82 per cent rise in Google searches for ‘puppy as a present’, which reveals that many of our ‘present pet’ purchases are impulsive buys. 

With cats and dogs living for 10 to 15 years, Annie-Mae Levy, a professional dog trainer and behaviourist at Woofz by nove8, explains that not only are they a huge financial investment, but also “demand years of care”. 

“People on average spend around $1,000 (€953) on their pets annually, covering essentials like food, veterinary care, and grooming, says Levy. “And this is assuming your pet is healthy; otherwise, the costs are even higher.” 

Even if you are prepared for the vet bills, Christmas is not the best time to introduce a new four-legged family member because pets require attention and consistency. 

“A dog or cat needs a quiet, structured environment to adapt to their new surroundings,” Levy adds. 

Outside of the holiday season, the realities of daily life creep in: perhaps there’s less space for this growing pup than you expected, or your home has restrictions you weren’t aware of. 

Or, come New Year, maybe you find yourselves getting stuck in the office beyond Rover’s walk time, or you have to travel for work more than you anticipated.

“Gifting a pet to children can be particularly problematic,” adds Levy. 

“Many children lack the maturity to handle the full responsibility of a pet’s care, leading the burden to fall on parents, who may not have agreed to take on this role”. 

Pet abandonment is increasing due to rising living costs

Many new pets are returned to animal shelters in the New Year - and it’s not just puppies.

Dogs and pets of all ages and breeds are dumped at this time of year, according to the RSPCA, the UK’s largest animal welfare charity. 

Animal abandonment during the winter period has increased by a massive 51 per cent in just three years in England and Wales alone. Last year, 4,630 pets were abandoned from November 2023 to January 2024.

“Sadly we expect the trend will continue as more pet owners face financial hardship at this time of year more than any other,” says Ian Briggs, the RSPCA’s chief inspector.

“Our rescuers are regularly coming across dogs in poor health, collapsed and left in isolated spots to suffer a lingering death; sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes who are lucky to be found alive; or pet rabbits dumped in the wild with little chance of survival against predators.”

The RSPCA’s Join the Christmas Rescue campaign aims to get the British public to support its vital work in animal rescue and rehabilitation so that unwanted pets can find love and care in new homes.

Alternative gifts for animal lovers

Instead of purchasing a pet to have in your own home, there are plenty of gift alternatives. 

“You could sponsor a shelter pet in the recipient’s name, donate adoption fees, or gift essential supplies like toys, beds, and carriers,” suggests Levy. 

And, if you are planning to bring home a pet at a later stage, you could give a specialist animal care book in preparation for ownership.

Some pets are pampered more than their humans

For those who already have pets, they’re being spoilt this Christmas according to the latest research.

Dogs are spoilt with Christmas stocking fillers of squeaky toys, gourmet treats and even new bedding.

And, over half of pet owners tend to prioritise buying gifts for their pets over their partners, according to research by Woofz by nove8, in which 2,000 global pet parents were surveyed. 

There’s more pressure to give the perfect gift to your partner than your pooch, explains Levy - whereas your pet will always appreciate a new toy.

In fact, one in six pet parents spend more on their dog’s gifts than on their own family and friends. And if money for gift buying is tight, then 66 per cent of dog owners said they would be willing to sacrifice their own gifts to give their furry pals something special.

 “There’s no second-guessing when it comes to your pup’s affection,’ says Levy. “Giving them gifts feels like a natural way to reward all that unwavering loyalty”.

The best present you can ever give your pet is, of course, time and attention.

Top tips for taking care of your pets during the festive period

Christmas is a busy time when routines go out of the window. For pets, this can be confusing, so do try to keep your usual feeding and walking routines as much as you can. 

Homes are also often filled with jolly and jubilant loved ones, which your dog or cat may not be used to. Try to give them a quiet, safe and cosy space where they can freely retreat. Some owners find that using calming music and bringing in their favourite treats helps reduce stress, too.

Similarly, New Year celebrations can be a frightening time for pets with all the bangs and whooshes of fireworks and firecrackers.

Most of our feline and canine friends have three to four times better hearing than humans, which is why the global animal welfare organisation Four Paws is calling for a ban.

“Many animal lovers are not aware that their loud celebrations are causing deep agony for animals,” says Nick Weston, head of companion animal campaigns at Four Paws. “Fireworks and firecrackers are putting pets and wild animals under immense distress,” he adds.

“Watch out for stress symptoms like rapid breathing, increased salivation, diarrhoea or loss of orientation,” West suggests.

In the lead-up to New Year, Four Paws suggests you try to desensitise your pet to the sound of fireworks by playing firework videos on YouTube so that your pet gets used to the stimuli and noises. This is especially useful for puppies who are still being socialised. 

“Observe closely how your pet reacts and stop immediately if it shows signs of stress,” Weston adds.

Pets may feel safer if you close curtains and - to avoid them from running off - you should close off any cat or dog flaps well in advance.