If you have just written your Christmas present wish list, did you ask Father Christmas to bring you a new pet this year?
If you are hoping to find a puppy, kitten or maybe a hamster under the tree on Christmas morning, the good news is that Father Christmas does carry pets on his sleigh. But there are a few important things you need to know first.
A pet is for life…
You may have heard people say, “A dog is for life not just for Christmas,” and for good reason. A pet is a huge responsibility and a life-long commitment. That doesn’t just mean making sure they’ve got enough food or toys, it means taking them to the vet for regular check-ups and vaccinations, giving them daily walks (well the canines anyway), picking up their poop or clearing out their litter tray. You need to make sure that your pet always has a comfortable and safe place to live for the rest of their lives.
Pawsome Christmas
Before Father Christmas will select a new pet to deliver to you on his sleigh, there are two important checks he must make first:
- Check with your parents. While your parents may love animals, they may not have the time to help you look after a pet, so Father Christmas needs to check with them first.
- Check you are on the good list. Father Christmas must make sure that you are someone who is responsible enough to care for a pet as they are a big responsibility.
Only once Father Christmas has completed his checks and is satisfied that you will take good care of a new pet will he bring you the pet you've asked for. He will enlist the help of his elves who work at animal shelters to help make his special pet deliveries. After all, some cats and dogs can get terrible sleigh sickness!
