Christmas Culling

The other day I was talking with a client who’s a vet nurse and was totally surprised by our conversation. I was discussing how the winter period affected my business with the shorter days and horrid weather. It was at that point that she mentioned that vets also see a trend in the winter months. Unbelievably, people see the festive season as a way of getting rid of their sick animals. The vets even have a name for it: Christmas culling. Apparently, instead of having old and possibly incapacitated animals around over the holiday period, which may be difficult to manage, they see it as an opportunity to put them to sleep. In January, vets then see an influx of new dogs being brought in for inoculations and check ups.

I find it unbelievable people can think that because they may have family around or have to travel during the festive period, having their family dogs euthanised is acceptable. Would we put our elderly relative to sleep because it’s difficult to have them round on Christmas day? We live in a very hypocritical society that looks at puppies and goes ahhh, but then when they get old we are quick to think when will they die? What breed should we have now? Even, should we buy another dog before it dies so we are not left without a dog?

This year I was saddened to have to make the decision to have my Labrador Megan put to sleep. She’d been my companion over the past 11 years. Whether it was just being around me, going shooting or helping out with my training, she was totally loyal. Two weeks before I had to make the decision, she’d been demonstrating what a well train dog can achieve and the client commented on how young she looked. Apparently Megan was riddled with cancer and had hidden it well. My vet friend said she hadn’t suffered as she was fit and healthy; living outside also helped.

Owning and buying a dog is a commitment not just for a day but for life. Before you make the decision of what breed, think long and hard about whether you are a suitable dog owner. It’s not like buying an item of clothing where you can take it back for a refund or throw it away once you’ve finished with it.

Posted: December 10, 2018