A dog is for life, not just for Christmas
The newly-appointed parliamentary under-secretary for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), has stated his support for Dogs Trust's "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" initiative.
On Tuesday (December 11), Dogs Trust CEO Clarissa Baldwin, met with the Defra Under-Secretary, Lord De Mauley, to urge people to think carefully before purchasing a puppy as a gift this Christmas.
A dog is for life, not just for Christmas, is a 34-year-old annual initiative to remind the general public to consider the long-term responsibilities involved with owning a dog
Dogs Trust believes that the accessibility of the internet leads to impulse buying of animals, so this year is highlighting the potential risks surrounding the online sale of pets.
The trust says the internet attracts unscrupulous breeders, and dogs often in poor health and under-socialised, which can then lead to them later being abandoned.
Lord De Mauley commented: "Owning a dog can bring real joy to the owner but anyone thinking of bringing a new dog into their home should remember that it is a lifetime commitment.
"Animal welfare charities like the Dogs Trust do a great job in helping neglected animals, but Christmas is a time when they are put under enormous pressure by the number of dogs that are abandoned by people who cannot care for them.
"It is vitally important that people are aware of their responsibilities before making the commitment to own a dog.”
Despite the initiative, Dogs Trust says it's rehoming centres always see an influx of dogs handed over to them in the new year. In a bid to curb the number of puppies given as gifts, the trust will cease rehoming between December 22 and 29, 2012.
To show his support, Lord De Mauley posed with his terrier-cross puppy, Bo.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
