Animals are not Christmas presents
Christmas wish lists often include a pet - and not just for children. An understandable wish, as animals can enrich our everyday lives enormously. Nevertheless, animals should never be given as gifts for Christmas or any other occasion.
Why shouldn't you give animals as gifts?
With an animal comes great responsibility. Unlike typical Christmas gifts such as toys, vouchers, clothes or similar, they are sentient beings with their own needs that have to be met - and for many years to come. What's more, they cannot simply be exchanged if they don't work out. Therefore, the purchase of an animal must be carefully considered. These considerations take time, which is not always available, especially in the hectic pre-Christmas period. And the hustle and bustle of the festive season is not the right time to get an animal used to its new surroundings in peace and quiet anyway. Therefore, please do not give animals as gifts - especially not blindly to another person.
What happens to animals that are given away unintentionally?
Unfortunately, many pets end up in the animal shelters of the German Animal Welfare Federation after an ill-considered purchase or thoughtless giving away - through surrender or, in the worst case, when they are abandoned. The loss of a new home, the separation from familiar people and the unfamiliar surroundings can be traumatic for the animals and have a negative impact on their future lives. And animal shelters, which are already working to capacity, have to take care of more animals in need of help who need space and time.
Alternative gift ideas for animal lovers
Nevertheless, you don't have to do without "animal" gifts completely at Christmas: There are lots of lovely gifts for animal lovers, for example good guidebook reading on species-appropriate pet ownership or - if there is already an animal in the household - suitable pet accessories. Or you can give the gift of animal welfare for Christmas - with a sponsorship for our animals, our projects or with a gift membership of the German Animal Welfare Federation.
Checklist for the purchase of a pet
If your desire for an animal family member increases beyond the Christmas period, you can start to think seriously about it. There is a lot to think about when buying a pet. We have put together a checklist to help you keep track of everything.
- Do all family members agree to the purchase?
- Are there any allergies that would prevent you from getting a pet?
- Can you devote enough time to the animal in your everyday life?
- Do you have enough space for the animal?
- Are you allowed to keep this animal in your home (landlord's consent)?
- Do you have sufficient financial reserves for regularly necessary treatments such as vaccinations - and also in case the animal becomes ill?
- Can you afford the cost of any necessary insurance (e.g. liability insurance for dogs)?
- Do you have a suitable way of looking after the animal when you are unable to do so (vacation, illness, etc.)?
- Does the animal fit in with your long-term expectations of life - even for the next 10 or 20 years?
- Which animal species and breed with its typical characteristics and requirements suits you best?
- What should the animal's character be like?
Tip: A visit to your nearest animal shelter will allow you to clarify any unanswered questions and get to know the animals there before they perhaps offer one of you a new home. This way you can find the animal that best suits you and your lifestyle.
