German animal shelters put a ban on adoptions for Christmas

People looking to buy a pet as a gift this Christmas may have a hard time getting one after dozens of shelters in Germany put a temporary ban on adoptions.

Animal shelters across Germany are fighting back against the high rate of animals being abandoned after Christmas by putting a temporary ban on adoptions.

Any citizens planning on buying someone a pet as a gift may have a hard time getting one after dozens of state shelters in Lower Saxony, Bremen and Berlin have put a hold on all adoptions until January.

By the New Year animal shelters are often overrun with dogs, cat and small pets that were dumped after being given as unwanted Christmas presents.

Arvid Possekel, from Hanover Animal Shelter, told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle that giving a pet as a surprise present is generally not a good idea.

Animals often end up abandoned after Christmas.

“The temporary stop is there so that animals do not end up under the Christmas tree, because animals simply are not presents,” he said.

“Ideally they become members of the family and you just don’t give family members as presents.”

Those who complain about the ban or do not understand the reasons behind it probably should be adopting a pet anyway, shelter workers said.

One of the larger shelters in Bremen has adopted out over 1000 animals this year, but will not be rehoming any of its remaining 500 animals until after Christmas

Dozens of other shelters in other cities and regional areas seem to be following in these footsteps.

However, many will be still open for viewing in the lead up to Christmas but if someone wants to purchase an animal they will have to return in January.

While the ban has support from many animal lovers, not everyone is in agreement that it is the best course of action.

The RSPCA told BBC, while the busy time between Christmas and New Years can make it hard for a pet to settle in, for some willing families it may be the perfect time to introduce a new family member.

“For some people, the festive period is a calm, quiet time and may well be a good opportunity to introduce an animal into the home as families tend to be around the house with more time to spend with them,” it said.