Hamburg. Animals are living beings, they have their own needs and are a lifelong responsibility. Animal family members are not gifts and do not belong under a Christmas tree. They are demanding roommates whose move-in needs to be done collaboratively and carefully. Before people, in a hasty holiday mood, give a home and thus a promise that they are unable to keep, the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association of 1841 eV (HTV) recommends finding animal welfare-friendly alternatives or preferring to give gifts to the animals.
“If a pet is a shared wish, you should take the time together to get to know an animal and its needs and be aware of the obligation that a living being means,” says Janet Bernhardt, chairwoman of the Hamburg Animal Welfare Association of 1841 eV “A Christmas and the following New Year's Eve spectacle mean a lot of effort for animals – many family members and unusual noise. A quieter time is ideal for getting used to it.”
The holidays in particular are an emotionally intense time. An easy time for emotional manipulation. “Emotional play is booming, especially during the festival of love: puppy trading. They look small and cute and encourage many people to do pity shopping. However, this supposed 'saving' when purchasing animals on internet portals only fuels the actual production of puppies,” says Janet Bernhardt.
Animals are not suitable as a surprise at Christmas. Before purchasing an animal, all family members must consult together and decide to take on responsibility and tasks.
Why animals are not Christmas presents
- No matter how hard the little ones beg and vow to support, animals are always the responsibility of adults. Children quickly lose interest – and the agreement to walk the dog or empty the litter box every day then becomes a point of contention.
- Animals create work and cause costs. Not everyone wants to clean a bird cage or pick up a dog's droppings. In addition to the food costs, there are also costs for treatments and veterinary check-ups. That can be expensive!
- The absolute desire for a puppy often causes cruel animal suffering. The housing and breeding conditions behind a supposedly reputable online offer are often catastrophic and contrary to animal welfare: bitches that are abused as birthing machines and sometimes cower in basements and dark sheds, and puppies that have to meet certain beauty characteristics and are often too young for life-saving vaccinations , as well as transport conditions under the most adverse conditions remain hidden.
- If you have decided to have an animal, you should only take on an animal after the exciting holidays. The hustle and bustle of Christmas and the fireworks on New Year's Eve are not a good time for a new family member to calmly get used to their new surroundings and people.
Süderstraße animal shelter: Closed to visitors
The Süderstraße animal shelter will remain closed to visitors from December 21st to January 2nd. Arrangements and appointments that have already been agreed upon in advance will of course still take place.
Give real hope instead of misunderstood love for animals
“If you want to do something good for animals at Christmas, you can also take on responsibility in the form of a sponsorship. A fundraiser for animal protégés can also be a loving gift,” says Janet Bernhardt.
We have sponsorships for many areas. You can take on a general sponsorship for the entire animal shelter, for the wild animals, just for the food, specifically for a species of animal, such as budgies, or for a single animal. A sponsorship makes it possible to responsibly give away animal protection and love for animals and not a living being.
Sponsorship for the animal shelter, an annual sponsorship or one for a dog or cat can be taken on for as little as a monthly contribution of 20 euros – and is also a great gift to give as a holiday gift. There is also a general animal shelter sponsorship starting at just 5 euros per month. Sponsorships are tax deductible and make (also as a gift) A joy for everyone involved. Here you can find further Christmas gift tips, the proceeds of which benefit the HTV's approximately 9,000 animals every year.