The Christmas holidays are approaching and it is customary during this period to offer gifts. In some cases many parents choose to give their children as Christmas gifts pets, especially dogs.
The Environmental Movement - Citizens' Cooperation for another year sends the message that animals are not Christmas toys that we play with them for a while and then forget about them. We have to take care of the animals for a lifetime.
Many parents have the well-intentioned idea that through the gift - animal, their children will gain an animal-friendly consciousness, but this is not always the case. Animals have feelings and we can not treat them like Christmas decorations or lifeless toys. The decision to acquire a pet must be made after serious consideration and awareness of the magnitude of the responsibility towards a lifetime.
Especially in recent years when many pets are left on the streets since their owners can no longer take care of them, the concern for acquiring a pet must be twofold.
Animal lovers can now visit - with their children - one of the animal shelters operating in Cyprus to donate or volunteer their hard work, instead of offering living souls as ephemeral game.
An animal can be a nice Christmas present, only if the children themselves choose it and the whole family is ready to accept the responsibility of accepting a new member. In such a case we recommend choosing a dog or cat from an animal shelter.
Always remember that animals are not Christmas toys. It's for a lifetime.