A pet is not just for Christmas

Ireland is in a dog crisis

We’re being reminded that a pet is not just for Christmas it is for life.

The CSPCA is asking people not to give dogs or cats as a gift this festive season. 

Ireland is in a dog crisis as 3,227 dogs were in shelters and pounds nationwide in 2023 with the figure for 2024 looking to be much higher. 
 
For a lot of people, one four-legged friend might be the present high on their list — but manager of the CSPCA Vincent Cashman says gifting a pet this Christmas should be a big no; “we get people who are gifted puppies and cats by boyfriends or family members just because they've said ‘oh I'd love one of those'. When they actually break down the workload they should never surprise somebody with a pet because you could be looking at this pet for the next fifteen years in the case of a dog, longer maybe with a cat. There is a serious consideration, it can't be just a whim decision to take on an animal.”