"Don't give out pets as gifts to someone who didn't ask for one or done research on how to care for it," a caption on a video featuring a puppy in an animal shelter warned.
Unintentionally proving that "dogs are for life, not just for Christmas," a tragic video showed a shelter admitting it was already getting unwanted puppy gifts.
In a video uploaded to TikTok by @KhanTheeDane, a woman is shown hugging a one-month-old puppy while the words "We're already getting unwelcome Christmas gifts" appears on screen.
@khantheedane Please be responsible. Don’t give out pets as gifts to someone who didn’t ask for one or done research on how to care for it. This bean ended up on the shelter at 1mo💔🥹#christmaspuppy #shopresponsibly #dc #dogcommunity #shelterdog #adoptme ♬ Iris - Natalie Taylor
The caption cautioned against providing pets to people who weren't ready to handle the responsibilities of pet ownership.
The costs of pet food and veterinary care can run into the thousands of dollars, and owning animals is a long-term commitment.
Along with spending money, pet owners must devote a lot of time to training, socializing, and exercising their animals. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), around 6.3 million animals visit American animal shelters each year.
Be responsibly, it pleaded in the video's caption. "Avoid giving pets as gifts to people who haven't asked for them or looked into how to care for them. At one month, this bean was found on the shelter.
The woman offered further details about the cute puppy in the comments after revealing she worked at The Anti-Cruelty Shelter in Chicago.
The puppy's name is Winnie, and Rachel Klousnitzer, Senior Director Marketing and Communications at The Anti-Cruelty Shelter, told Newsweek that she was still too young to be adopted.
"We recommend the public to avoid giving animals as gifts without first talking to the receiver," she said. Giving an animal as a surprise is a lifetime commitment, for which all parties must be ready and knowledgeable.
"Animals will be surrendered to shelters across the country after the holiday season because well-intentioned gift givers are unaware of the amount of time and care an animal requires. Before adopting an animal, we encourage members of the community to stop by our shelter and talk to our knowledgeable staff about our available animals.
"I also want to clarify that Winnie was not adopted from ACS," Klousnitzer continued. This is an isolated incidence, but we are glad she was brought to us so we may find her a permanent family. Despite the fact that we offer counseling and services to help pet owners keep their animals with their families, including home-to-home adoptions.
More than 950,000 people have seen the TikTok video since it was posted on Thursday.
@khantheedane wrote in the comments: "Strangely enough, the owners claimed it was a mix of a golden lab and a Rhodesian ridgeback. But I do notice golden a lot.
She added that the puppy's fate was "very tragic" and that it was too early for adoption.
@khantheedane has been contacted by Newsweek for comment.
The ASPCA underscores the caution in the film, stating: "There is controversy over how this practice affects the welfare of the animal. Americans have a long tradition of giving pets—typically puppies or kittens—as gifts for special events such as birthdays, holidays, or graduation.
In their own words, "The ASPCA suggests giving pets as gifts only to persons who have indicated a continuous interest in owning one, and the ability to care for it appropriately," they warn against gifting an animal to someone who isn't ready for one.
During the current "Home for the Howlidays" promotion, the Anti-Cruelty Society is waiving the adoption cost for all of its animals.
In order "for every shelter pet to start 2023 in a loving home," it ran from November to December 31.
Consider adopting this holiday season for dogs, cats, and tiny animals, according to an Instagram post.
The free adoption fee offer was a huge success, according to Klousnitzer, who told Newsweek that "hundreds of animals found their forever homes this holiday season."
Purchasing pets from "animal shelters, rescue organizations, friends, relatives, or responsible breeders," as opposed to locations where the animal's origin is unknown, is advised for potential pet owners, according to the ASPCA.