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    Think carefully before buying a pet

    Date published: 03 December 2024

    Think very carefully before buying a pet as a present for a loved one. Instead, after the festive season, consider adopting rather than buying.
    Image of a puppy

    Rehoming an animal

    Hundreds of animals are abandoned every year once the novelty of getting the gift of a pet has worn off. 

    Animal welfare charities take in animals which have been bought as Christmas presents but which people then find they don’t have enough time, space, or money to look after.

    It’s not just young animals that come to charities, older animals can be discarded to make way for new ones. 

    These animals are in desperate need of a second chance. 

    Adopting an animal from these shelters, rather than going out to buy one, means you can play your part in giving a pet its forever home.

    Rehoming also helps prevent animals from being bought from unscrupulous breeders and gives a lovely companion animal a chance of a happy new life.

    • Buying a dog and responsible dog ownership

    Wait until after the festive season

    The advice is wait until after the Christmas holidays to provide the time and space needed to welcome a new pet into your home.

    If you would like to reserve an animal before Christmas, some animal welfare charities can match you with the most suitable pet for your home to be collected once all the festivities are over.

    • Sharing your house with a dog - what to consider

    Life-long commitment

    Bringing a new pet into your family is one of the most rewarding experiences. However, it is a life-long commitment. 

    It’s important you are fully-informed and aware of the responsibility involved before making a decision to get a pet.

    Different pets have a range of needs. It is vital you make sure you can provide for an animal’s care and veterinary needs throughout its whole lifetime.

    Advice on how to care for a range of pets is available at this link:

    • Animal welfare and pets

    Animal welfare and reporting an issue

    It is a crime to leave an animal unattended and to fail to care for it properly. Owners could face prosecution for abandonment. 

    If an animal suffers because of abandonment, then owners could be prosecuted for animal welfare offences.

    You should make sure you do not unknowingly support illegal breeding and trafficking of pups. 

    If you know about illegal breeding, abandoned pets, or suffering being caused to pets, you should contact your local council animal welfare officer.

    • Animal welfare - local councils

    More useful links

    • Dogs
    • XL Bully dogs
    • Cats
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    • Rabbits
    • Keeping chickens
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