Animals are not Christmas gifts
Spontaneity and pity are poor advisors when purchasing a pet. This is especially true when buying young cats and dogs online. Very often, the online platforms conceal mafia-style organised gangs that shamelessly profit from the sale of puppies. During the Covid years 2020 and 2021, the import of puppies from allegedly cruel breeding operations abroad increased massively. As a result, in 2021 nearly 10 percent more surrendered animals were handed over by their owners to animal shelters.
Every year, parents in particular consider giving their children a living Christmas gift.
Dogs, cats, rabbits and the like are regularly surrendered just a few weeks after the holiday, because they simply do not fit into people’s lives as well as originally thought. In any case, many animal shelters are already facing considerable capacity problems; many people acquired a pet on impulse during the Covid-19 lockdowns, only for it to end up back in a shelter shortly afterwards.
«Animals are not objects that can simply be bought and then discarded once one has grown tired of them. An animal is a sentient living being that places a great deal of responsibility on its owner, and for which separation or surrender to an animal shelter can be traumatic. Moreover, keeping a pet also requires considerable financial resources. Many people are severely affected by the current rise in the cost of living; they should think even more carefully about whether they can afford enough money for food, care and veterinary bills.»
Veronika Weissenböck
Long-term responsibility is underestimated
Before acquiring a pet, one should carefully consider whether it suits the family situation and lifestyle. Weissenböck: «Many people underestimate the time that must be invested, for example in the training required for dogs. Furthermore, taking in a pet represents a very long-term commitment to meet the species-specific needs for the animal's entire lifetime – that is up to 14 years for a dog and up to 20 years for a cat. Various animal hair allergies also play a major role and must absolutely be clarified in advance.»
It can become particularly problematic when the recipients of such gifts are children. Although children develop an emotional bond with animals they are generally not able to take on full responsibility for their care and well-being. «Even though many parents consider a pet a wonderful birthday or holiday gift, one must simply take into account that many children lose interest in the animal after a short time. But pets are not accessories – they are companions who require love, care and dedication throughout their entire lives,» says Weissenböck.
Animals that end up under the Christmas tree are often brought to the nearest shelter at the start of the holiday season the following year, or when the first behavioural problems arise. Even more tragic, however, is when they are abandoned or otherwise “disposed of” – which happens time and again, despite the threat of punishment. «Abandoning animals falls under animal cruelty in the penal code and is punishable by up to two years imprisonment,» reports Weissenböck. «Nevertheless, it unfortunately keeps happening.»
Small animals are not “starter pets”
Giving children small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, or mice as “starter pets” is also a bad idea. “Small mammals in particular have a reputation for being cuddly animals. Unfortunately, this is simply not true,” explains Weissenböck. “Guinea pigs, rabbits, and mice are by nature prey animals that do not like to be touched. Being lifted up or even held down represents a genuine threat to them.” Small animals in particular are often acquired because they are considered undemanding and easy to care for. Unfortunately, this is not true at all. The lack of knowledge about the individual needs and natural lives of these animals leads in many cases to serious husbandry errors. The far-too-small cages available in pet shops convey a false impression of the animals’ needs. From an animal welfare perspective, rabbits, for example, should be kept together with at least one other rabbit in a spacious outdoor enclosure that comes as close as possible to the animals’ natural habitat.
Anyone who, after careful consideration, has decided to get a pet should first look around at an animal shelter. There, countless four-legged animals are eagerly waiting for a new home. VIER PFOTEN campaign director Veronika Weissenböck: “Keeping an animal is a great enrichment and an opportunity for a deep bond with a loyal companion. Those who are truly ready for this great responsibility will be able to enjoy unforgettable moments. However, if one’s circumstances do not allow for keeping an animal, it is a sign of greater love for animals to refrain from doing so.”
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