For Life, Not Just For Christmas: Dog’s Trust to raise money following ‘buy a puppy’ trend
Dogs Trust Kenilworth advise against impulse purchasing a puppy during the festive period.
Image by Isabelle Miller
In 2017, the Kenilworth rehoming centre explained why dogs are given up following the festive period. They said that when dogs are bought impulsively for Christmas, and treated more like a new toy than a living animal. For many, the novelty wears off after the celebrations are over, and the commitment becomes too much.
Image from Dogs Trust
Following this trend, Kenilworth Dog’s Trust announced this week that their Christmas Fair is taking place on the 6th December this year, raising money for their pups. It is set to offer “Dogs, gift stalls, raffles, dogs, games, festive food and drink, did we mention dogs?” and will last from 12 pm - 4 pm.
The charity’s website says the fair aims to raise “pounds for our hounds,” with all proceeds going to the dogs at the Kenilworth rehoming centre. They are currently accepting donations of chocolates and dog toys for tombolas and raffles. In a statement for Cov Feed, Dogs Trust said, “Visitors don’t need a ticket to attend this festive event, which will be a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy seasonal activities and help support the vital work Dogs Trust does to support dogs in need all year round.”
Emma-Jane Thomas, Manager at Dogs Trust Kenilworth, said, “This event is a wonderful way to raise pounds for hounds whilst getting in the Christmas spirit, with all the money raised at our Christmas Fair going to support the work of Dogs Trust.”
The impact of the festive period on pups across the UK is sadly not wholly positive. As Christmas approaches, the public is advised to avoid making impulse purchases and adoptions of dogs. Dogs Trust found in 2019 that online searches for ‘buy a puppy’ increased by around 44% the week before Christmas, with searches for giving up dogs also increasing in January. Dogs Trust highlights this every year with their “a dog is for life, not just for Christmas” slogan.
The Dogs Trust Christmas advert this year aims to show how giving dogs a secure home, that understands the commitments that come with owning a pup, can have an incredible impact for both families and dogs.
When talking about this year, Emma-Jane said, “Although not every dog will be in a home this Christmas, the dogs in our care will still benefit from the love and commitment of the brilliant rehoming centre staff, who will go above and beyond to make sure every dog has a happy place this Christmas.”