A PET IS not a toy for us to play with, nor is it just something to keep us company. It is a member of the family - its well-being depends on us. So if you're thinking of getting a pet for Christmas, think twice because you may be spending the festive season with it for the next 20 years.
Gigi Fu Ming-hin, the Ambassador for the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Hong Kong (SPCA) has some simple advice: make sure you are ready.
'I have witnessed many sad cases. Some young people get a pet, not thinking that they will go overseas to study or move out from their parents' place in a few years,' the former actress said.
'When the time comes, they simply leave their pets to their parents, or give them away. But pets are loyal. They have bonded with their young owners, and it's very hard to be left behind.'
Ms Fu, who has had dogs since she was a child, added: 'I know pets. They have feelings. Unfortunately, some people keep pets just because it's a trendy thing to do.'
Perhaps. Connie Lau Kwok-yin, SPCA's education and information manager, said more hamsters had been brought in to the society since the cartoon Hamtaro, which features the cute animals, started airing on local television. But the society does not have exact figures for hamster surrenders.
