The tradition of gifting pets at Christmas may seem heartwarming, but it often has severe consequences for animals, their owners and the charities that rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them. While the joy of receiving a pet as a gift is undeniable, the impulsive nature of these decisions often leads to heartbreaking outcomes with many animal charities seeing a surge in the number of pets abandoned or surrendered to shelters during the weeks following the holiday season.
An annual crisis for animal welfare
In the UK, around 250,000 animals are surrendered to shelters every year, with abandonment cases rising during and following the festive season. Between December and January of 2021 to 2022, RSPCA recorded a 29% increase in animal abandonment cases in the UK. Since, RSCPA has warned of a shocking trend in abandoned pets, recording a 30% rise in animal surrenders in just three years (2020 to 2023), which is expected to grow to 42% once figures are confirmed for 2024.
Many rehoming cases in the first quarter of the year are attributed to pets gifted during the festive season by individuals who later realise they cannot meet the needs of their gifted pet or hadn’t anticipated some of the costs involved. Rabbits, dogs, and cats are among the most frequently surrendered during this period.
Caring for surrendered animals is an expensive endeavour, which has steadily risen for the last two years thanks to the cost-of-living crisis. On average, it costs charities like Ferne Animal Sanctuary over £15 per day to care for a healthy cat or dog, for larger animals like horses the cost can be as much higher. The cost significantly increases for animals who come to us in ill-health or following abuse or neglect and subsequently need rehabilitation or support from the vet with health issues as is often the case when we rescue an animal. When an animal is ready to be rehomed, it can take weeks or months to find new homes. With limited resources, this annual influx places significant strain on organisations like ours.
The impact on animals
For the animals, abandonment is traumatic. Many pets experience stress, fear, and confusion as they are removed from familiar surroundings, the people they are bonded with and placed in shelters. Behavioural issues can arise or become exacerbated making rehoming more challenging.
Responsible pet ownership
We advocate for thoughtful pet ownership, encouraging prospective owners to consider the long-term commitment of owning a pet. If you love animals but are unsure about the commitment, we have a specialist team of animal care professionals, who offer support to those looking to rehome an animal. If in doubt about your ability to commit to homing an animal, we recommend alternative gifts, such as sponsoring an animal. We have over 300 residents at Ferne Animal Sanctuary including cats, dogs, horses, birds, rabbits, chinchillas, geese and pigs and more, and our team is always happy to offer advice on sponsoring your favourite friend.
If pet ownership is the right choice for you and you’ve carefully considered the responsibilities involved, researched the species and breed you are considering and if you can meet the needs of that animal, rehoming a pet can be a deeply rewarding experience. The rehoming team at Ferne Animal Sanctuary is trained to guide prospective pet guardians through a thorough assessment, ensuring each match is suitable and sustainable. This process helps ensure you’re prepared for the work and commitment involved in pet ownership. Rehoming from Ferne not only provides a loving home for an animal that may have felt lonely and unwanted but also contributes to reducing the number of pets in need of care.
Think about the animals
Choosing to avoid gifting animals at Christmas and other holiday periods in favour of sponsoring or rehoming ensures pets are matched with owners who can provide long-term care and love. This reduces the burden on shelters and improves the well-being of animals. Sponsorship also supports the essential work of organisations like Ferne Animal Sanctuary, which relies on donations to care for surrendered animals.
By addressing this issue through education and alternative gifting, we can reduce the number of pets abandoned in January, ensuring a brighter future for these animals and the charities that support them. Responsible decisions not only save lives but also build a society that values animal welfare.