UAE residents warned against giving animals as Christmas gifts

Dubai - People should not encourage others to think of a new pet as just another toy for the children.

As holiday shopping peaks, UAE residents are warned against giving animals as Christmas gifts as recipients often abandon or give the unwanted pets away, rescue groups and veterinary clinics have said.
A volunteer at Animal Action, Sarita Harding, told Khaleej Times that their rescue group sees this pattern each year, where residents are giving up dogs that they have received as Christmas presents.
She insisted that residents put an end to giving animals as gifts as they require a "forever home" with a family who understands the responsibilities of keeping a pet.
"A dog is for life and not just for Christmas. Basically, people get a dog on a whim without thinking of the responsibilities that come with it. It's cute and cuddly as a puppy for four to six months, and then it grows up," Harding said.
"You also have the veterinary costs, the costs of looking after them, feeding them and the training they need. When we hear a person saying 'I want to buy my friend a dog for Christmas', we ask if his or her friend really wants a dog. We do see this every year, where people are trying to get rid of their dogs after Christmas because, potentially, they have received it as a gift. After a week or two of having the novelty of a little, cuddly thing, then comes the reality of what it really means as a responsibility."
Harding said that because of this trend, Animal Action stops the adoption of their dogs, especially puppies, during the Christmas season.
The group rescued 40 dogs last month in a single day. It currently has 45 to 50 foster homes and over 100 rescued dogs. The group has more than 15 dogs placed in boarding kennels that they pay for.
Harding added that if residents want to help an animal over Christmas, she suggested that they sponsor a dog, instead of gifting them to friends and family.
Dr Hannah Rowles, a vet at British Veterinary Hospital, said: "I would never recommend gifting someone an animal on Christmas or any other time. Having a pet is a very personal choice and requires love, time and exercise, and it comes with a financial commitment.
"Taking on a pet should be a considered and well-researched decision as it is a great responsibility and many pets live for many years. We always encourage re-homing and adoption, as the real gift would be to give an abandoned animal a forever home."
Jonathan Sibol, an Abu Dhabi resident who feeds more than 50 stray cats every day around different parts of the Capital, said he also sees a rise of abandoned cats after the Christmas season each year.
"They should stop giving animals as Christmas gifts because they are not just a present, they are part of the family. People should not encourage others to think of a new pet as just another toy for the children," Sibol said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

• Dubai