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Animal News

Wednesday, 1 December 2010




Should you get a pet for Christmas?

CHRISTMAS is just days away and hundreds of people across the world will be putting a new pet on their Christmas list – a bad idea according to animal charities.

The slogan is one that is known all over the country – a dog is for life, not just for Christmas. It may refer to dogs, but this is a statement that works for all animals.


Veterinarian Charity PDSA says that, every year, they treat hundreds of animals that were bought as Christmas presents, but are neglected by their owners.

Buying a pet is a serious commitment. Some animals can live up to 20 years (reptiles and parrots even longer) and, as a pet owner, you need to be prepared to care for your pet their entire life.

Many pets start off as small and cute babies, but they can soon outgrow a prettily wrapped box, taking up lots of room and making lots of mess in your home.

If you are serious about getting a new pet, experts advise you think carefully about the kind of animal you want, and whether it will suit your lifestyle. They also suggest waiting until AFTER Christmas when things at home are back to normal, allowing your new pet to settle in.

If you are thinking about getting a new pet, there are tonnes of tips and hints about the kind of animal that will suit you online at: www.your-right-pet.org.uk.





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13 Comments


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  • becky (Age 15) wrote on Thursday, 24 December 2009 @ 11:19

    I think that more should be done to protect aninmals that are got as christmas presents as it is a serious matter

  • ilovemymum (Age 13) wrote on Sunday, 27 December 2009 @ 09:53

    i have a dog

  • SweetiePie (Age 13) wrote on Friday, 1 January 2010 @ 14:23

    i think if people get a pet for Christmas, they need to make sure they can fully look after and care for it

  • sooty122 (Age 12) wrote on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 @ 09:12

    aaawww id LOVE a pet.. Maybe a kitten or a dog ...

  • Anya2000 (Age 11) wrote on Wednesday, 1 December 2010 @ 19:17

    I think it is better to get a pet on a random date to let your pet settle in easily. in your pets head it goes like this: "Master gives me something sweet and black brown. There is a big green pricly thing with square thingys under it!" a few days later:"No big green thing left but some snaky things... how about i chew them...Master does not give sweet brown stuff anymore!!!" It will be harder for your pet to settle by the change of atmosphere in your house.

  • bodiepal2 (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 2 December 2010 @ 10:59

    I don't think you should get a pet for Christmas. People give them but then they get too expensive so they decide to take them away. What's wrong with getting a pet on any old date?

  • emsemsems0 (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 2 December 2010 @ 11:13

    i agree with anya

  • emsemsems0 (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 2 December 2010 @ 11:13

    better to get a pet on a random date to let your pet settle in easily. in your pets head it goes like this: "Master gives me something sweet and black brown. There is a big green pricly thing with square thingys under it!" a few days later:"No big green thing left but some snaky things... how about i chew them...Master does not give sweet brown stuff anymore!!!" It will be harder for your pet to settle by the change of atmosphere in your house.

  • KatCandy (Age 12) wrote on Thursday, 2 December 2010 @ 16:59

    It's better to get whenever you want but not for celebrations i.e Christmas.

  • She-Wolf (Age 12) wrote on Saturday, 4 December 2010 @ 08:22

    I was going to get a siamese but we already had 2 cats and they would be uncomfortable around the siamese and they would think " Oh yeah their just gonna dump us for another kitten."

  • naturegirl (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 7 December 2010 @ 11:10

    dogs are for life not just for christmas !!!!!!!!

  • 6beth6 (Age 11) wrote on Thursday, 9 December 2010 @ 14:25

    A lot of times, kids want pets for their cute looks. Parents need to KNOW is their children would look after a pet, and which would suit their lifestyle. I want a pet (Both my cats were ran over-I'd rather not talk about it) but I don't have one, I don't have brothers or sisters either but I want one. Kids can't get everything they want. Sometimes they go through a phase, where they want something and the next week- they don't.

  • disneyluv (Age 12) wrote on Thursday, 9 December 2010 @ 20:21

    I think pets can be really nice prezzies as me and my little sister would love a puppy for christmas but its just the up keep of them !!!!!