Don't buy animals as Christmas gifts

Animals should not be given as a Christmas or birthday gift - especially not as a surprise - because would be owners will likely not be ready to take on the lifelong commitment of owning an animal.

Credit: Mrs Hards.

PETA UK, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, strictly advises against buying pets for Christmas due to the risk of abandonment, cruelty, or neglect. A high majority of people see buying animals during Christmas or birthdays as "irresponsible".

Some children are not able to understand, due to their level of maturity, how to treat animals so may hurt them unintentionally and, once hurt, their pet may be seriously injured or worse.

Every December, three animals are thrown out into the cold, according to a 2010 article from The Guardian.

A majority of animal shelters, pet stores, and breeders will refuse to sell animals to customers within their chosen time before Christmas and will only continue doing so after the festive season has finished.