Chris Huhne Warns - Pets are still Problem Presents

11.19.31am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd Dec 2005

"Becoming a pet owner entails a responsibility for life, and this means providing puppies and kittens with homes for life."

Eastleigh's Member of Parliament Chris Huhne is backing a parliamentary campaign to remind people that pets do not always make welcome Christmas presents.

Commenting on the campaign by the Dogs Trust to ensure that every dog owner is a responsible owner Mr Huhne said:

"It is all too easy to fall in to the trap of buying a small puppy at Christmas that has grown into a boisterous dog by Easter. However tempting it may be to give a pet as a present it really isn't a good idea"

"Every year thousands of animals are abandoned as families realise that they are unable to care for the pets they bought a few months previously. The welfare of pets must be the highest priority and there is no doubt that it is exceedingly cruel to abandon an animal to an uncertain fate.

"I hope as many of my parliamentary colleagues as possible will back this campaign, it is appalling that more than 25 years after the slogan 'A dog is For Life, Not Just for Christmas' was created people are still giving pups as presents without any consideration of the consequences.

"The rescue centres do a marvellous job of caring for unwanted pets, but every year their resources are stretched almost to breaking point, and unfortunately it is not always possible to find a home for a grown up dog.

"This Christmas I hope everyone in Eastleigh searching for last minute gifts will bear in mind that becoming a pet owner entails a responsibility for life, and this means providing puppies and kittens with homes for life."

Related Link:

EDM 1159 - Dogs given as Christmas presents