No Pets for Presents Campaign

Pet Insurance Australia is calling on all Australians to re-think purchasing a pet for Christmas with their No Pets for Presents campaign.

“No Pets for Presents is a new campaign by Pet Insurance Australia to try and prevent the huge amount of abandoned animals that are caused from people purchasing puppies and kittens as gifts at Christmas time,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says.

Every year thousands of dogs and cats are surrendered to shelters across Australia shortly after Christmas.

“A cat or dog is a lifetime commitment,” Crighton says. “Remembering that if you are purchasing a puppy or kitten, this is ultimately a 15-year commitment, these commitments can not be handed to an unsuspecting friend or partner, or as a last minute gift choice.”

Lee Amiti from Animal Adoption Agency agrees that purchasing a pet for a present is not a good idea.

“Ask yourself or your partner… why do we want a pet? Can we commit? What are the consequences of owning a pet?”

Animal Adoption Agency deals with increases of abandoned animals during the holiday season due to people not considering the needs of a pet.

He urges prospective puppy and kitten owners to consider where the pup or kitten will stay if you go on a holiday and to carefully rethink the purchase.

PIA suggests some alternatives, such as putting a collar under the tree or presenting a card containing images of kittens or pups.

“If you really want to invite a new animal into your home consider popping a collar under the tree and then having the discussion, if you are really ready to expand your family, during the Christmas celebrations.”

Things to consider:
• Yearly veterinary costs (vaccinations, worming, de-sexing)
• Pet insurance
• Cost of food
• Housing
• Training
• Bedding
• Time

“People need to be realistic in what an animal really needs in terms of time and cost. Many animals are surrendered because owners never really considered how much time, energy and money a pet requires,” Crighton says.

Animal Adoption Agency agrees;
“Firstly ask the right questions; are we allowed to keep a pet? Does the landlord or strata management allow us to have a dog or cat? Read the fine print or put it to your landlord in writing. How long are we away from the house? Will that breed be right for me? There are many thing so consider.”

PIA is asking that all new possible pet owners become realistic about what they are able to give a pet before the new addition comes home.

“Choose another time rather than the hustle and bustle of the silly season,” Nadia Crighton from PIA suggests. “Popping a collar, or lead under the tree and chatting about all the needs of your possible new family member, names, breeds, who will walk them / play with them, where they will sleep, is half the fun in committing to this decision.”

Nadia Crighton – nadia@petinsuranceaustralia.com.au

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Contact information: Nadia Crighton, Pet Insurance Australia, 95 Sixth Road, Berkshire Park, New South Wales 2765

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