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RSPCA estimates £250 million could be spent on pet presents this Christmas

And millions of pets could be ‘giving’ presents too

Pet owners could splurge up to a whooping £250 million* on Christmas presents for their pets this year…...and millions of pets may be ‘buying’ gifts for other people too, an RSPCA survey has revealed.

Almost nine out of ten (90%) of pet owners polled by the RSPCA will be treating their pet to a pressie and 43 per cent admitted that they will be buying gifts for other people from their pets.

The festive survey of more than 200 pet owners discovered:

● Almost seven out of 10 owner's (69%) sign their Christmas cards from their pets
● More than half of pets (54%) have a Christmas stocking
● More than a third (34%) have a special pet-safe advent calendar
● Almost a third of owners buying presents will be shelling out between £30 and £50 on their furry, feathered and scaly friends compared to just 12% in 2013. 6% spend more than £50
● Almost three out of 10 pets (29%) will receive a Christmas card
● 16% of owners polled have their pets pictured on their Christmas cards
● More than a third (35%) of pet owners buying presents spend more on their pets than their siblings, a quarter (25%) spend more on pets than their parents and 7% spend more on their pets than their children

The survey also discovered 3% of owners said their pets would be ‘writing’ a letter to Santa Paws ….just like Crowley an RSPCA rescue cat looking for a new home (pictured with RSPCA volunteer Steph Teece).

Ryan Traynor, cattery supervisor at RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal Centre near Shrewsbury, said: “Crowley is one of our longest-stay cats and we have no idea why because he’s a fantastic chap. On Christmas Eve he will have been in RSPCA care for exactly seven months so we’ve helped him ‘write’ a letter to Santa Claws asking for a purrrfect new home.”

Ryan is working as usual on Christmas Day and will be putting a little bit of turkey into the cat dinners as a special treat.

He added: “It’s lovely to hear that people are going to be buying their pets presents, pet-safe advent calendars and stockings for Christmas but what Crowley wants is a nice warm home and owners to make a fuss of him.

“While people are out shopping for Christmas presents for their pets maybe they could buy one extra for those animals in RSPCA rescue centres or donate £3 which will cover the cost of dinner on Christmas Day for one of the 3,000 animals being looked after by the RSPCA.”

Crowley came into the RSPCA covered in puncture wounds where he’s thought to have been attacked by a dog. He was initially very traumatised but staff have given him lots of TLC and he’s transformed into a confident, playful, happy cat.

Anyone interested in giving Crowley a home can contact Gonsal Farm Animal Centre on 0300 123 0753 or email GonsalFarm@rspca.org.uk

If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

To find the perfect present for your pet or animals loving friends and family visit the RSPCA shop http://shop.rspca.org.uk/ all profits fund our vital work.

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