Does Santa Bring Puppies and Kittens?
MEOW! My name is June Buggie, and I have something to say!
Santa is not a pet delivery service!
It’s time for kids to write out their wish lists to Santa, and many of those lists include pets. Well here’s the scoop, kids- pets can’t ride on Santa’s sleigh. He drives so fast it makes them sick, and you don’t want puppy puke all over your new iPad, do you?
Santa doesn’t bring pets at Christmas kids!
Moms and dads and other caring adults may decide that this would make a great holiday gift for an adoring child. June Buggie says- DON’T DO IT!
Pets are a big responsibility that should not be taken lightly. A cat can live 20 years…. or more! I’m 15 years old and still pretty light on my feet! A dog can live 15 years or more. A pet is a long-term commitment, and your sweet child of today will soon be a college student or a struggling artist or… who knows what? What will happen to that cat or dog then?
But you’re buying an expensive, pure breed dog? Consider this: up to 25% of dogs surrendered to shelters are pure breed dogs. The problem is that puppies and kittens tear stuff up, and it’s unrealistic to expect a child to know how to properly train an animal to not eat the sofa, or to not pee on your fancy carpet, or to not steal food off the counter. That takes commitment from all family members.
Santa’s elves have enough trouble caring for the reindeer!
Introducing a pet into the home should be a family decision. Nothing wrong with a family giving themselves a new family member for the holidays, provided they’re committed to caring for that pet for the long haul.
MEOW from Santa’s Helper!
November 29, 2012 at 6:06 AM
Good advice….the shelters are full of animals who would dearly love to join a family at holiday time….it should be a family decision and not one taken lightly either. No doubt the flood of unwanted “gift” animals after the holiday is caused by not well-considered or thought out intentions! ‘Tis the season to look before you leap when it comes to Christmas pets.
Pam (and Sam)
November 29, 2012 at 6:15 AM
Amen!
November 29, 2012 at 6:18 AM
What a great post and warning!
November 29, 2012 at 6:18 AM
MEOW! And thanks!
November 29, 2012 at 6:22 AM
I wish this “christmas-pet-thing” wouldn’t happen this year. But unfortunately the pet-stores are publishing their disastrous ads since weeks. Please Santa Paws bring them some sanity…
November 29, 2012 at 6:31 AM
Good advice. Puppies and kittens bought for Christmas are turned into the shelters by February.
1. DON’T BUY A PUPPY OR KITTEN for a Xmas present.
2. If you want a puppy or kitten, go to a shelter in late January or February.
Happy Holidays
November 29, 2012 at 6:36 AM
I wish Santa would listen to June Buggie! I’ve seen some really sickening ads this year.
November 29, 2012 at 6:48 AM
Reblogged this on Angies Grapevine.
November 29, 2012 at 8:25 AM
VERY GOOD ADVICE … PLEASE HEED!
November 29, 2012 at 7:27 AM
The sugar gliders are back for sale at our mall. Animals are not toys. Thanks for an informative post.
November 29, 2012 at 10:04 AM
That makes me sad.
November 29, 2012 at 7:58 AM
Thank you, June Buggie. Very good advice!
November 29, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Meow!!!
November 29, 2012 at 8:00 AM
You’re so right June Buggie – each dog/cat adopted from a shelter this Christmas is as good as a huge donation to that shelter!
November 29, 2012 at 8:30 AM
OMD! My sweet June Buggie…I can’t believe that you’re already 15years old! You look very young!
Yes June Buggie, having animals as one of their family member means you should be responsible for it! I hope that lots of shelter doggies and kitties will find their responsible family!
November 29, 2012 at 10:03 AM
I am not a young cat Kevin, but I can still hold my own!
November 29, 2012 at 8:33 AM
Dear June Nuggie …………..
You’re a smart cookie …….:) xx and i adore You xx and U are completely Right x
MEOW …
C xx
November 29, 2012 at 9:04 AM
You are so right! It should not be a surprise gift from outside the family either! This goes for gerbils and hamsters and bunnies and……all other critters too!
November 29, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Definitely not!
November 29, 2012 at 9:24 AM
I am purrleased to say I have not seen any ads from pet shops where I love, in fact, Mom says she has not seen a pet shop with love cats and dogs around here at all(except for adopt days with rescues). Your message June Buggie is spot on! Paw pats, Savvy
November 29, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Meow Savannah!
November 29, 2012 at 9:46 AM
I rue logged your post JB
November 29, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Reblogged this on Savannah's Paw Tracks.
November 29, 2012 at 9:34 AM
I agree June Buggie.
BUT we were so hoping to have a new Boxer friend for the holidays, and it’s just not going to happen
Maybe next year x.
November 29, 2012 at 10:03 AM
What is wrong with these rescues? I thought the whole point was to rehome animals.
November 29, 2012 at 9:42 AM
Stella the Great Newfenees here via my scribe. That’s great advice, June Buggie. Especially if you end up with a pet like me. I’ve put my two-leggers through all kinds of difficulty because I keep getting sick. I’m so blessed – they love me to bits and are wholly committed to looking after me. Just yesterday the vets said that most people would have given up on me by now. I’m so thankful I have the two-leggers I do! We have a great! happy! rewarding! life together! ~:o)=
November 29, 2012 at 10:02 AM
That’s the same issue we have with DeDe Dog. That dog has health problems galore. Bless your humans for hanging in there!
November 29, 2012 at 10:01 AM
[...] Does Santa Bring Puppies and Kittens?. [...]
November 29, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Well said June. It breaks my heart that so many pets get abandoned through the year & especially after Christmas. I though long & hard before I got my kitties & I wouldn’t be without them now. Merry Christmas & I love your elf look *hugs*
November 29, 2012 at 10:37 AM
I love this post, Buggie. You did a great job!
November 29, 2012 at 10:43 AM
[...] read a lot about the regular upcoming nuisance to give away pets for christmas. You can read it at RUMPY’S blog or here at APPREHENSIVEOREO . That’s the point where I can’t understand humans. [...]
November 29, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Well said. It’s an important message too. & girrrrllll, you sure look good for 15….I would never have guessed
November 29, 2012 at 11:04 AM
High paws for Junie’s message.
Getting a pet is just the beginning of the expense and responsibility. (and the days are so short now – and weather not so enjoyable in many places!)
November 29, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Really good advice, pets are not gift for kids, they are good for kids but a grownup responsibility.
November 29, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Well said, June Buggie! More people need to realize that pets are a long term commitment, not temporary entertainment.
November 29, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Here, here! This post should be published in all the newspapers and Huffington Post. It’s that important.
November 29, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Very well said, June Buggie!! xx
November 29, 2012 at 3:07 PM
So true, JB! Pets are great, but they are quite different from getting a wrestling doll or coloring book from Santa. Sometimes Mom says I am a full-time job. That’s a good thing…. Right?
Love and licks,
Cupcake
November 29, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Well said sweet Savannah!!!!!!
November 29, 2012 at 3:18 PM
YOU TELL ‘EM JUNE BUGGIE! *snoogles*
November 29, 2012 at 5:00 PM
You are so smart June Buggie!
November 29, 2012 at 5:47 PM
You tell ‘em June Buggie! We agree 100%!
November 29, 2012 at 8:52 PM
Good point June Buggie and a timely issue for Santa and his helpers to consider. I believe anyone, inlcuding kids, should visit an animal shelter before acquiring an animal companion-family member for whatever occasion or no occasion at all, and see the consequences of a poorly thought out gift or impulse purchase, and after considering the repercussions and making an informed decision, give something rather than take and re-home a deserving furry-one
November 29, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Reblogged this on Waggit.
November 30, 2012 at 2:00 AM
FURRY GOOD advice !
November 30, 2012 at 2:06 AM
Well said!
December 1, 2012 at 2:49 PM
This is sooo true!
December 1, 2012 at 9:44 PM
I will post on Facebook. I feel guilty as I’d just posted an adoption special this month for shelter pets.
You’re right – pets are a long-time responsibility.
December 6, 2012 at 10:47 AM
[...] Elizabeth this. She said, “You know, Christmas is just around the corner. Your blogging friends Rumpy Dog and Clowie have been talking about the trouble with buying puppies to give as Christmas gifts. So [...]
December 15, 2012 at 9:22 AM
[...] Does Santa Bring Puppies and Kittens?. [...]
December 29, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Thanks for the great advise!
Happy New Year to you and your family!