AUSTRALIA, NSW: Pets as presents must be wanted: MP
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Pets as presents must be wanted: MP
10dec05
PEOPLE should think first before they pick up a pet as a Christmas present,
New South Wales Local Government Minister Kerry Hickey said.
More than 35,000 dogs and cats were received by the NSW RSPCA this year, an
increase of more than 3400 on last year.
"Many of these animals were surrendered or abandoned after being bought
without thinking through the long-term responsibilities of being a pet
owner," Mr Hickey said.
"Surprise purchases from pet shops and newspaper ads often just result in
more unwanted animals landing on the RSPCA's door."
Mr Hickey also urged people planning to buy a pet to get it de-sexed.
Indiscriminate breeding led to pet overpopulation that hurt animals and
created a wide range of problems in the community, he said.