Local animal shelter sees spike in Christmas gift returns

[The Straight Story]

Local animal shelter sees spike in Christmas gift returns


Puppy number 8616, also known as Noel, is a foster child of sorts. Sent to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso shelter in Canutillo after someone found her and fellow siblings under a trailer, she was given a new name and home just in time for Christmas. But less than a month later, she's back at Animal Rescue for "being too playful" according to kennel manager, Loretta Hyde.

Hyde typically sees animals given back to the shelter that were once Christmas gifts, but she said usually doesn't see a big number of returns until April as the pets get bigger. Now, only January of 2012, Hyde counts 21 puppies calling the Canutillo shelter home. Some of the puppies were found in ditches, others running in the road, and some were dropped off directly at the shelter, like Noel.

"Sometimes they don't want that christmas present, you know," said Hyde. "It's like the tie or the sweater you didn't want, but you got it anyway. Puppies are fun, but after a few days you've got the digging, the chewing, the jumping, the remote controls that seem to disappear."

Hyde says the age of the 21 puppies, none of which are more than a few months old, is what makes her wary that they're discarded Christmas gifts. Animal Rescue is a "no-kill" shelter, but as the pens fill up with more animals, there soon won't be a vacancy and unwanted animals will be turned away.

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/local/local-animal-shelter-sees-spike-christmas-gift-ret/nG6GT/

[zappaman]

1. I can't even put into words how angry this makes me.

[get the red out]

3. You and me both

Those precious pups deserve better. People are IDIOTS!

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. returned for being 'too playful'. omg. that phase will past.

[roguevalley]

8. ditto. I would have 200 dogs and cats at my house without a vigilant family

[xchrom]

2. living things are rarely neat and tidy and always obedient. nt

[DesertFlower]

4. very sad. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. awwwww.

[Lawlbringer]

7. Every year I read this and am always shocked

that humans can be so stupid. These BEINGS are alive. A life is a life, even if they don't have opposable thumbs.

I want to go down to shelters and Ralph Kramdon the dogs. (Best episode of the series, makes my eyes water every time)

[Lionessa]

9. Animals should never be given as gifts. Perhaps a gift certificate, but not the pet itself.

Pets are such a personal choice, no one should attempt to make it for someone else except for parents/guardians of minors, and then only the one(s) with whom the pet will be residing.

People need to be smarter. Pets aren't ties or toys, and shouldn't be given as though they are.