Experts Urge Against Giving Pets as Holiday Gifts

Animal welfare organizations and experts warn that gifting animals for Christmas often leads to neglect or abandonment due to unprepared ownership.

Animal welfare groups, including the German Tierschutzbund, stress that pets require long-term commitment and should not be treated as disposable gifts.
Many shelters and pet stores pause adoptions during the holiday season to prevent impulsive decisions and ensure thoughtful pet ownership.
Pets gifted during Christmas often face abandonment or are returned to shelters when recipients realize the financial, time, and care demands involved.
Illegal breeding operations and online pet sales surge during the holidays, raising concerns about unethical sourcing of animals.
Experts recommend alternatives, such as symbolic animal sponsorships or educational pet care resources, as meaningful and responsible gift options.