With the festive season now upon us, the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) is urging the public to think carefully before giving or acquiring a pet as a Christmas gift. The charity warns that impulse decisions made in the spirit of giving can too often lead to long-term harm for both animals and the people involved.

Pets are a lifetime responsibility and bringing a new animal into a home is a huge decision that should never be made lightly. 

Each year, rescues see increased numbers of animals surrendered or abandoned after the festive period, once the novelty has worn off.

USPCA CEO Heather Weir commented:

“It’s so important that anyone thinking about getting a pet understands what responsible ownership means. A pet is not a toy or a surprise gift, they are a living animal that depends on their family for love, a safe shelter, care and nourishment, and lifelong commitment to regular veterinary care to thrive and have a long and happy life.”

Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA added:

“Whether it’s a pup, kitten or rabbit, remember caring for an animal is a lifetime commitment which comes with very important responsibilities and goes way beyond the Christmas season. If you are thinking about it, I would urge you not to make an impulse purchases this holiday season. 

“Animal welfare organisations such as the USPCA see a huge increase in dogs and cats being surrendered at this time of year and we want this trend to end. One option is to choose to adopt a rescue animal, meaning you can give a pet a second chance and provide the nourishing environment it needs to thrive.” 

The rush to get a pet before Christmas can also fuel demand for dogs and cats from unscrupulous breeders. 

There is a real danger in buying animals from illegal puppy farms or rogue breeders, who prioritise profit over welfare.

These illegal operations fail to provide basic veterinary care, and young animals may be taken from their mothers too early. Already, the USPCA has seen an increase in puppy sale prices since October 2025 on social media.

The charity is therefore strongly encouraging people to adopt and not buy, and to wait until after the Christmas holidays and to take time to fully understand the lasting commitment that is needed.

Notes to Editors

Pictured are Goose and Maverick, two 8-week old puppies that have been surrendered to the USPCA as their owner could no longer care for them. 

The USPCA has the following advice for those families who do decide to buy rather than adopt, and to think about the following:

  • Is ‘mum’ really mum? A tactic by illegal breeders is to use a healthy-looking dog in the place of the puppy’s real mum. A dog who has recently had puppies will show clear signs (visible teats) and have bonded with her puppies. If she seems wary of the puppies, she may not be their mum.
  • Check the address where you see the puppy is registered to the person selling the puppies. Unscrupulous sellers have been known to sell from rental properties that do not reflect the home of dogs and puppies have been kept since birth.
  • Check all the paperwork. Legitimate breeders will have a licence, always make sure you see the breeder’s licence number. 

  • Check the puppy’s and parent’s medical records.  A puppy cannot be vaccinated before they're four to six weeks old. If someone's advertising a three-week-old, vaccinated puppy, they are lying!  Breeders should be able to provide written confirmation from their vets that both the mum, and the puppies have received all the necessary treatment at the appropriate time.  Ask for the name of the veterinary practice they use, if you want to make your own enquires.  

For any queries please get in touch with Áine Magee a.magee@connectpa.co.uk