Every year, thousands upon thousands of letters are written and sent from our country, bound for the East. In many of them, the words “dog” and “cat” appear as the most desired gift, the ultimate aspiration. Something people have been waiting for a long time and that can only become a reality with the help of the Three Wise Men.
Although ARISTOPETS are the best company in the world and a gift to our lives… the truth is that we should not literally turn them into gifts. We should not include them on a list alongside inanimate gifts - that is, things. Because they are not things.
That is why you need to think very carefully and reflect before giving an ARISTOPET as a gift. Because they cannot be returned or exchanged. They are not ours for a little while, but “forever.” And it is not enough simply to have them. We must love them, respect them and provide them with the quality of life they deserve and need. This requires time and resources.
In 2016, more than 137,000 dogs and cats were abandoned in our country. And 2017 ended with similar figures. Figures that continue to be a national disgrace and represent the main animal welfare problem affecting ARISTOPETS in Spain. That is why we feel obliged to ask everyone to act responsibly and use common sense during this season. This figure cannot continue to rise. It must come down. One way to improve this situation is to understand that dogs and cats are not things that can be put into boxes wrapped in pretty gift paper… Although unfortunately, many people still think otherwise.
In fact, according to data from the Analysis and Characterization of the Companion Animal Sector published in 2015 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the most common way of acquiring dogs is as a gift, in 53% of cases. And generally (31.4% of cases), this acquisition takes place through purchase. Whether from a store (13.2%) or a breeder (10%). Purchases from private individuals account for 8.2% of cases. Adoption, when the animal is intended as a gift, is an option considered much less often.
In the case of cats, the main way of acquiring them is also as a gift. Although rather than being purchased, cats are usually adopted or found by chance on the street (35.2% and 31.8%, respectively).
In other words, in Spain we still think that an ARISTOPET can be given as a gift in the same way as an expensive handbag, a tablet or a trip. It is clear that for the recipient, a dog or a cat is the best gift, the surprise every child wishes for and that those of us who are no longer children also wish for sometimes, a dream come true… For the giver, it is an unsurpassed display of generosity, a memorable act, a way to make someone else happy. But what about the dog being given as a gift? And the cat?
If someone has asked the Three Wise Men for an ARISTODOG or an ARISTOCAT in their letter, we invite you to reflect on whom you are going to give it to:
If you give an ARISTOPET to a child…
You must be aware that children are not self-sufficient. Giving your 5-year-old nephew a dog means that the child's parents will have to take care of the dog. Not only financially, but also with regard to its daily needs. Are you sure they are willing to care for and respect it throughout its life? Can they afford to keep it? Do they have enough space in their home? Do they have time? And the desire to do it? The best thing is to clarify all these points with the people indirectly involved.
If that child is your own, you must ask yourself those same questions. And answer them honestly. Are you willing to commit to your child's pet as if it were your own? Are you willing to teach your child about responsible pet ownership and loving their pet? Are you willing to care for it until your child can do so 100%? Have you had experience with dogs or cats before…?
If you give an ARISTOPET to an adult…
Is it a wish… or a surprise? What is the real reason that person wants an ARISTOPET? Are they committed, responsible and trustworthy? Does that person want a dog or cat of a specific breed? Or, on the contrary, do they not care about the breed, color, size… and simply want a best friend, whatever it may be? Have they had or do they currently have ARISTOPETS?
There are undoubtedly many questions to answer and consider before giving an ARISTOPET as a gift, so we encourage you to think it through calmly, weighing the pros and cons… Think carefully and you are sure to make the right decision.
We insist that what we love most in the world is pets. They complete us, make us happy and make us better people. But precisely for that reason, we care about the well-being of every one of them. We do not want this holiday season to become the beginning of a nightmare for any dog or cat in the world. That is why we should think carefully before bringing them into our lives or someone else's.
We must also bear in mind that many abandoned animals are waiting for a new home and affection. Would you like to know which animal shelters we work with? You can learn about them here.
