Dogs for Christmas presents?

Question

Why every year despite campaigns to stop it, do dummys buy dogs for Christmas presents.
The pain, suffering and cruelty they cause as a result of their thoughtlessness is a disgrace.

Answer 1

I couldn't agree more. The SPCA I volunteer with in absolutely inundated with unwanted Xmas pups. The thoughtless owners just wash their hands of these dogs they just HAD to have and leave it for animal shelters to clean up their mistake. It costs charities like these an absolute fortune each year to deal with this issue. It's a disgrace!!

Answer 2

They still think it is a good idea and helping someone.

I decided to get a dog a month ago. I happened to stumble across an unwanted litter that, ironically, would be 8 weeks December 15. Completely coincidental and not at ALL my reason for getting her.

However, once I told a few people that I was getting a puppy, and they asked when i could take her home, they would ask if there were any left and wanted a Christmas dog.

So we had to sit down and have a discussion about what a commitment it would be, the money involved, and what would happen if the person the dog was given to, didn't want a dog, or wanted a different animal? Out of the three people I talked to, two realized the errors of buying a dog for someone else as a suprise, and the last decided to give their sister a "doggie voucher", or money to be used towards the purchase of a pet or accessories or vet fees for the dog they choose.

In the end, people think it will make someone happy to see a puppy and don't think of the long term commitment it brings with it (both personally and financially).

Answer 3

I'd love a dog for Christmas but I want to pick it myself.But I already have 2 and since one thinks all the dogs and cats are his I'd be giving him a Christmas present that I'm going to have to pay and pay and pay for so I guess I'd better get a robe instead.It'll cost less in the long run.
I don't know why people think a pet would make a great gift.You would have to know about every aspect of a persons life before giving such a gift as well as their tastes.
I made the mistake of buying my husband a bird for his birthday one year and ended up giving it away because altho he loved going to the pet shop and looking at them and had many fond remembrances of a bird he had when he was a little boy he had absolutely no interest in taking care of it or paying any attention to it once he got it.Thankfully I knew of a lady who absolutely loves birds and gladly took it and is still caring for and loving it.

Answer 4

Because every year people IGNORE the advice. They think they know better than the experts or that because a puppy cannot speak or cry tears like a human baby then it must be happy! Who knows why the Imbeciles do it?

I remember getting a dog for my birthday which falls in the middle of the Christmas holiday, I got a photograph of him, the bed, lead and all the equipment and a book on dogs!!! I had to wait till the next half term holiday for the puppy itself! I also had to prove to my Uncle how much I'd learnt from the book! Doing it that way taught me a great deal more about having a dog than him just giving me it ever would!
I wish everyone who bought a child a dog did it !!!!

Answer 5

I think that somehow although i dont how but it should be stopped.
I love animals and it really upsets me when people do daft things such as that.
The only time i would buy someone a puppy as a pressie was if i really knew the person and i knew that they would look after the little chap/chapess!!
I have many pets including a dog that we have had since he was 6 weeks old, i can not bare animal cruelty, my little fella is soooo spoilt and thats how every pet should be treat, like royalty. They do not ask to come into this world, and they certainly do not ask for ill treatment, its humans that are cruel, you dont see a dog pointing a gun at you do you? even if you shout at it and tell it off if it has done something wrong it still respects and loves you.
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Answer 6

Obviously there will be dogs given for Christmas that turn out to be an absolute disaster. But honestly, if I add another dog to our family I will be getting it near Christmas or a birthday because he/she will be initially for my boyfriend even if they eventually are a member of our family. Our first puppy together was last year and he had to leave the country for a family emergency so he missed the first few precious months of puppydom. We have always envisioned having more than one dog so when we are ready, I want him to enjoy that puppy time and I want to give him that experience. There is money involved in either adoption or the breeder route so bringing the dog home on an occasion ( as long as people understand puppies and their temperament) would be a warm gesture in my eyes. I dont see what is so wrong about this. People will always buy dogs for the wrong reasons but there are also those of us who are responsible and get them for all of the right ones.

Answer 7

I couldn't agree more. I think there should be some kind of law against this, or at very least a strict vetting system (i.e r.s.p.c.a. officers doing a home assesement on the prospective dog owners) so the *ssholes cant buy the poor things, then get bored a few weeks later with them. It really annoys me. You cant just walk in and adopt a child with no assesement or a waiting list. Who's to say a dogs life is any less important? And i have a child and a dog so please dont take that the wrong way anyone.

Answer 8

Because people think 'Oh theyre being silly little Fluffy will be just as cute when he is a year old, and the kids will take care of him' forgetting the costs of vets, food, training and forgetting that puppys need housetraining etc - and honestly who really wants to clean up after a puppy {I love my dog but i admit cleaning up after him as a puppy before he was housetrained wasnt great!}

People just dont seem to have the brains to realise that puppys grow up into dogs and if they arent trained right then it means problems - and christmas is a busy time so poor pups have no idea whats going on. Its not good for them.

I admit my next dog will be got in eitherJuly or December next year, but as i dont celebrate christmas any more than cooking a special dinner and getting the pets new toys and treats i will have the time to look after and train a new pet - most other people who do this though dont realise puppys dont come housetrained!!

Answer 9

Giving them as presents isn't the problem ,its not doing enough research to know or not whether the dog is even wanted and whether the people receiving the gift are good responsible pet owners and have the money and the space to have a dog. So its really a lack of thought with the right intentions. I agree with you, I don't think no matter how many adverts there are out there people will always do it. We need to train the people before we train the dogs.

Answer 10

thoughtlessness, just like you said, people buy theme that haven't had a dog before and don't relies how much work and responsibility they are. At one of our local rehoming centers they wont let you have a dog after november because of this problem, they let you have one if they know you, and know the dog will have a good home. But it is very sad, especially as it teaches the kids no respect for animals.