Matt Whittaker, manager of Pets At Home Swindon, writes about giving a pet for Christmas

By now you’ve probably started working through your child’s Christmas list, but if a puppy is top of the list this year, please think very carefully. While the idea of welcoming a new puppy, kitten or other pet into your home on Christmas might be lovely, we are urging potential pet owners to consider the huge responsibility required in owning a pet – long after the Christmas decorations have been taken down.

Pets are a lifelong commitment. A number of dogs and other pets will be handed into rehoming centres, or simply abandoned, in the days and weeks following Christmas. The sad fact is that the novelty of a cute puppy wears off quickly when owners realise the effort you have to put in to looking after them.

Christmas can also be a very stressful time – for both humans and animals – so it isn’t an ideal time to introduce a new pet. Lots of noisy visitors, presents lying around everywhere, a disrupted routine and all the festivities can make animals very anxious.

If you’re determined to get a pet this Christmas, do your research first, ideally visiting a rescue centre with the potential new owner so they can decide which pet will be best suited to their particular lifestyle. Why not give the recipient a Pets at Home gift voucher on Christmas Day instead? This way the new owner can stock up on some essentials before their new pet arrives.

If the pet will be a gift, please take into account whether the recipient has the time and money to care for the animal all year round. Our in-store colleagues will be able to advise on the responsibilities required, and answer any questions you might have.