Anthony Head

A leading animal charity was today urging people across the country to avoid giving pets as presents almost 30 years after first coining the phrase "a dog is for life, not just for Christmas".

In 1978 the chief executive of the Dogs Trust, Clarissa Baldwin, invented the famous slogan in response to the staggering number of dogs abandoned in the months following Christmas each year.

However, the dedicated animal lover had no idea the catchphrase would still hold true nearly 30 years later as the charity once again launched a new campaign to prevent animals becoming abandoned in the coming weeks.

It is estimated that every Christmas £1.2bn is spent on unwanted gifts, creating around three million tonnes of waste, and the Dogs Trust is urging people to make sure dogs aren’t a part of this.

Despite decades of Dogs Trust campaigning against dogs being given as presents at Christmas time, each year hundreds of dogs and puppies are still presented as gifts.

Many dogs are subsequently abandoned when the novelty wears off and their owners realise just how much work and commitment is involved in caring for them.

The charity’s latest Christmas campaign aims to raise awareness of the consequences of treating dogs as gifts or toys. Every year hundreds of thousands of children plead for the latest fad or top toy on the market, only to discard them a few weeks after Christmas when the novelty wears off.

The charity is asking everyone to support its Christmas message, and has produced a special "A Dog is For Life, Not Just for Christmas" car sticker, available by contacting the Dogs Trust on 020 7837 0006.

The campaign is being backed by a host of celebrity dog-lovers who have jumped at the chance to lend their support to the Dogs Trust.

TV presenter Dermot O’Leary said: "I would never, ever, think of buying a dog as a present at Christmas. I have supported Dogs Trust for many years and find it really sad that hundreds of dogs are abandoned post-Christmas after the novelty factor wears off.

"Please don’t buy a dog as a present unless you have really thought about what it will mean - for you, and for the dog."

Actor Anthony Head said: "You really need to think before getting a dog. Not only that but reputable breeders won’t sell dogs in the run up to Christmas. Those that do will probably be selling dogs that have come from puppy farms and because of this they will be disadvantaged and it is likely they will have health and behaviour problems.

"Please don’t let this year’s Christmas present become a new year’s resolution that will break your child’s heart."

TV presenter Paul O’Grady added: "Having a dog is a big commitment and a lot of work so you need to think very seriously before getting one - but if you give them loads of love and care they will be loyal and loving just like my Buster, Louis and Olga.

"Just remember, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas."

Other celebrity supporters of the campaign include fashion designer Bruce Oldfield, model and actress Lisa B, actress Joanna Taylor and TV presenter Wendy Turner-Webster.

The Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. It cares for over 12,500 dogs every year and has 15 Dogs Trust rehoming centres across the UK, with two new centres opening in 2006 in West London and Glasgow.

The charity’s annual Stray Dog survey revealed that over 100,000 dogs were found stray, abandoned or unwanted last year, and almost 8,000 dogs were destroyed by local authorities simply because homes could not be found for them.

Staff at the Dogs Trust are working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction. For more information visit the charity’s website at www.dogstrust.org.uk