Deaf Vet Julie Beckett: Dogs, cats and other pets are for life, not just for Christmas (BSL)

Watch Julie’s video in BSL below, or scroll down to continue in English!

Hi everyone, Christmas is coming upon us. You may be thinking about buying a puppy or kitten as a present for your family. That’s lovely but I want you to think twice. It is important for the animal! Remember an animal is for life and not just a Christmas present. Animals can live for 15-20 years or even longer. Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and guinea pigs are your responsibility and not children’s. The children think pets are free. They don’t see the cost or how big a responsibility it is. Animals learn from you, the same as children and babies do too.

Make sure you use Google to do research on the animal. For example, make sure you are aware of what a dog needs. You need to make sure you can afford the costs such as monthly insurance payments, vet bills,leads, baskets, coats,food etc. Can you afford to pay for someone to look after your pet when you go on holiday? Can you afford the extra charges to take your dog with you on holiday? You would need to pay for a dog passport, vaccinations, blood test and more. You need to think about extra costs if there was a health issue. Can you afford it? Pets are not cheap and they are a big responsibility.

These dogs have an easy life! It’s me who pays for them!! Isn’t that right?

make sure it is the right time for a pet. Do you have enough time to train a dog or cat and bond with them? Puppies need to learn from you about toileting, feeding and socialising. Time is another consideration.

Within my work I have seen too many occasions where families have given away pets. I have also worked in rescues and seen the number of puppies and kittens there increase after Christmas and New Year. This is because people didn’t realise the cost and could not cope. Some people may have other issues such as housing

He looks bored! He probably thinks I’ve been talking too much. Is that right? Do you want a treat?

Dogs, cats and any pets are lovely but they are for life and not just a Christmas present.

If you are thinking about a pet please go to your local rescue centre. There are a lot of lovely animals there which need a loving home. You do not need to pay high costs to get a pet. Your local Rescue centre will have wonderful animals at reasonable prices. The animals there need a lot of love and would appreciate a new home and life.