Activists protest selling of animals as holiday gifts

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The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has taken on a fight with Disney because of the promotions they have going for the recently released “102 Dalmatians” film.

HSUS is against the release of the movie during the pre-holiday season, knowing that children will ask for Dalmatian puppies as gifts. And well-intentioned parents may want to give in to that request.

“It’s hard to resist the pleas of your children for a Dalmatian puppy,” said Stephan Shain, director of companion animal outreach for HUSU, in a press release.

But Dalmatians, though they are wonderful dogs, may not be suitable for families with small children. They are very active dogs and require more patience, attention and exercise than most other dogs, said Shain.

Dalmatians are not alone in the predicament of pets as gifts. Cats, turtles, rabbits, or birds can also suffer from the impulsive holiday gift-giving trends.

“We are opposed to any live animal as a holiday gift,” said American Tortoise Rescue Founders and Malibu residents, Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson.

Unlike a stuffed animal that can be ignored without repercussions, live animals suffer when people ignore them. Those cute little kitties grow up and are not so cute anymore when the cat litter needs to be cleaned and responsibilities grow as the animal does.

Unless potential pet owners are well-prepared and certain, having planned out for the well-being of the animal in advance, toys and alternate gifts may be best for everyone, humans and animals alike, say animal rights activists.

Many top breeders do not sell pets for the holidays for the very reason that the purchase may be done on impulse; consequently, the animal will be returned or abandoned soon after the novelty wears out.

Aside from the familiar domestic animals, wild animals are also at risk during the holidays.

Unfortunately for them, these animals, like parrots and other exotic breeds, suffer not only once, but twice because they are often uprooted from their natural environment and smuggled into this country under precarious circumstances before they are sold. Additionally, their natural instincts make it hard for them to adapt and owners often become unhappy with unruly animals whose innate habits emerge as they grow.

Adopting a pet is a long-term obligation better served when people are certain they are ready to commit for the life span of the animal they adopt.

“I strongly encourage parents to think very carefully about this very serious commitment and urge them to remember that millions of wonderful dogs are waiting for homes at animal shelters across the country,” said Shain.