Pet Care

A Puppy or Kitten for Christmas?

The simple answer to this question is: NO, NO, NO. Why? If you really want to know the answer please come and visit the CSPCA in January and February of each year. That is the time that we have to put down large numbers of young dogs and cats, which have been abandoned by their owners. It is a heart breaking task and one that we dread.

In spite of endless repeated appeals by the ISPCA, the CSPCA and other animal welfare organisations, people continue to present children and relatives with puppies or kittens. The adding of a puppy or kitten to a household is something that should never ever be done on impulse because he or she looked so sweet and cuddly.

It is so often forgotten that the new puppy, which is only just been separated from his mother, will need a lot of love and attention, in addition to exercise. That small and lovely puppy might turn into a big bouncy dog, one which really should have about 10 miles a day of exercise to keep him in good condition.

Young dogs get very easily bored and without company will take their energy out on your furniture, chew your shoes, in fact do anything to relieve his or her boredom. They do not read books, or watch television and do not go for a pint to the local. They want to play, sniff and run, and if possible do that most of the day and in the remaining time they eat and sleep.

House training a young puppy is not difficult at all, but it takes time and attention from the owner. Over the Christmas period, time is something which most of us do not have to spare, since it tends to be a busy period. Also, its winter, and doors cannot easily be left open to provide access to the outside. House training is much easier in the summer and can be accomplished in a few weeks without too many indoor "accidents".

In spite of all the promises that the kids will make about walking the dog or puppy, experience shows that as soon as the novelty has worn of the task of walking the dog is left to the parents. They may not have either the time or energy to do that, so the dog is left without any exercise and the vicious cycle of boredom and frustration starts.

In the end, it all gets too much and the poor dog is either thrown out onto the street or brought to the CSPCA. Since there are no homes available, it means certain death for the animal

Therefore we ask you to please never give an animal as a present. The chances are pretty good that you have just condemned the animal to death. That's not what you wanted, but is almost always the inevitable result. If you know people who are planning to give an animal to a child, relative or friend, please ask them to read this. If they do not agree, perhaps you want to ask them to visit us in January when we have to start taking them of the street to be put down.

Please help us to make this Christmas one that will not result in misery for an animal. With your help we can make that happen.