Animals as Gifts During the Holidays

As we enjoy the holiday season and the gift-giving that is so much a part of the celebration, I’d like to remind people that animals should not be given as presents. Many of the puppies and kittens received as gifts are cute and adorable on Christmas morning. However, they soon grow; they don’t seem as cute.

They are often discarded in parks, along freeways, and even dumped in trash cans. Their unconditional love and loyalty rewarded with mistreatment and abandonment!

It’s the holiday season but the Animal Assistance League of Orange County doesn’t take a holiday from helping. In fact, this is one of our busiest times of the year and the need seems to be growing.

Our volunteers will do the work to save the animals but we desperately need the public’s help. If you or someone you know wants a pet, please call the AAL at (714) 978-PETS or any other respected nonprofit humane organization to adopt a rescued animal. You can also visit the Orange County Animal Shelter.

ROBIN-MARLENA ITZLER, President, Animal Assistance League of Orange County