A Pet is for Life, Not Just Christmas!

Feeling quite annoyed because Mum has told me that lots of kitties and other animals get given as Christmas presents and then sometimes get tossed outside or given away once the novelty wears off and people get bored.

That may be OK if  the unwanted gift is a new toy or gadget, or a sweater your granny might have knitted for you but you absolutely loathe, but a pet? A little furry baby that lives and breathes and has feelings too? A little soul that feels hunger, pain, loneliness, love?

Would you do that to a human baby?

NO!

So why do some people never give it a second thought in throwing out an unwanted pet along with discarded wrapping paper and left overs? Yes, some people may not take such drastic action, but even taking an unwanted pet "gift" to a rescue shelter is bad!

WHY?

Well, that unwanted pet will probably never find another home. Oh yes, it will probably be put to sleep. Forever.

Yes, this cat goddess is very disgusted by some humans, and it's happening more and more of late. Believe me, I try to stay calm whenever I catch my mum start fuming as she reads about the horrors humans inflict on poor animals. I do it because as a cat I am a master at keeping a zen-like calm. I do it to take care of  my mum and soothe her woes.

But knowing how it feels to be abandoned, well, I really want to meow so loud and start scratching the walls (and maybe some evil humans!).

It happened to me as a kitten. I was dumped. Thrown away like rubbish. Luckily, someone found me and took me to a rescue shelter where I was taken care of until Mum came to adopt me. I was born in the merry month of May, so I wasn't a Christmas present, but who knows? I may have been a birthday present. I can't remember that far back.

If anyone reading this is thinking of giving a cat or dog as a Christmas gift (or any other animal) please consider the following:

• The person receiving the gift may not want it in the first place. 
• He or she may not want the commitment that comes with owning a pet. Or the responsibility. Being a pet owner means you have someone else to consider other than yourself for at least 15 years. It is just like having a child. Pets do not suit everyone. People are busy. Some people have to travel a lot because of their career.
• Having a pet is expensive. Not just with the cost of food, litter, etc, but think of vet bills. Pet insurance. And then there's extras like boarding kennels and catteries whenever you need to go away. 
• Don't get a pet for your small child, even if they are asking for one. Consider first if you yourself, as the child's parent, can take on the extra responsibility, because it will really be just like having another child.