Mohammad Asghar, Assembly Member for South Wales East, has offered his support to the Dogs Trust ‘Ho No No’ Christmas campaign to encourage people not to buy a puppy as a Christmas present.
By the end of this week nearly half of the children in Wales would have written their Christmas wish lists and research from the Dogs Trust suggests that a quarter of Welsh children have put puppies at the top of their list for Santa.
The charity is concerned that, just like many other presents, puppies often become victims of festive fatigue once the novelty wears off and every year animal charities have to pick up the pieces when Christmas present pups are abandoned.
Mohammad met with representatives from the Dogs Trust in the National Assembly for Wales and was delighted to hear that parents in Wales are one the UK’s most resilient to their children’s pester power as only 6% are willing to buy their children a puppy for Christmas.
The Shadow Minister for Equalities & Sport said: “It is promising to learn that Welsh parents are so responsible but the important message from Dogs Trust must be remembered. I am therefore delighted to support the charity at this particularly relevant time of year.
“I would like to remind all my constituents that a dog really is for life and not just for Christmas. It is easy to pop a pooch under the Christmas tree, but the hard work will soon follow as puppies require a huge amount of commitment.”
Laura Vallance, public affairs manager for Dogs Trust adds: “Our Christmas campaign is as important now as it has ever been as our Rehoming Centre in Bridgend is already full to capacity with stray and abandoned dogs.
“The centre will go to great effort to ensure any unwanted Christmas puppies are cared for, but it will be a struggle. I am hugely thankful for the valued and vital support Mohammad has shown us and for her help with highlighting our Christmas message in the South Wales East area.”