By More Than Human – Welfare-Focused Animal Care, Warminster, Frome & Westbury
Christmas is a time of warmth, family and togetherness, but for many rescue dogs in shelters across the UK, it’s one of the toughest months of the year.
While we’re all decorating trees and planning festive food, rescue centres are quietly bracing for an influx of animals who urgently need safety, stability and care (BBC News, 2024).
More Than Human have created our first charity calendar for 2026, raising money for Bath Cats and Dogs Home, so we thought this topic is important to raise.
1. The Post-Christmas Return Problem
Every year, rescue centres across the UK report an increase in animals being handed in during December and early January (RSPCA; Sussex Express, 2024).
Why?
Because pets are still being bought as surprise Christmas gifts. Many people search online wondering things like “can you get a dog for Christmas” or “how to give a dog as a Christmas present”.
Buying a living, breathing creature for someone is a huge commitment which should always be discussed at length before any commitment is made.
All too often, the animal pays the price when the person they’ve been gifted to doesn’t want them.
The animal loses their home, their family, their routine, everything that makes them feel safe.
2. Cost of Living Strain
Families across the UK are struggling with the rising cost of living, and this has led to a significant increase in abandonments reported by rescues and local authorities (BBC News, 2024).
Many people aren’t giving up animals because they don’t care – many simply can’t keep up with unexpected vet bills, higher food prices or emergency costs.
At Christmas, when household expenses rise even more, shelters often overflow with rescue dogs and other pets needing urgent homes.
3. More Animals… and Fewer Staff
Shelter staff and volunteers are exhausted by December.
Many rescue centres run on skeleton crews over the holidays, yet they’re responsible for:
- feeding dozens (or hundreds) of rescue dogs and other animals
- providing enrichment
- maintaining welfare standard
- supporting incoming emergency cases
- comforting stressed, confused pets
The individuals who work at shelters are there because they care deeply, but this emotional investment – combined with physical demands – can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout.
Across the UK, emergency responders are also under pressure, with fire services reporting a rise in animal rescue callouts (The Guardian, 2025), adding additional strain to the wider animal rescue system.
4. Christmas is Stressful for Animals
Loud sounds, flashing lights, unpredictable routines, new people… Many rescue dogs end up surrendered because behaviour suddenly changes around Christmas.
Behaviour is communication.
Dogs experiencing stress display increased barking, fidgeting, reactivity and reduced tolerance (Beerda et al., 1997).
Research also shows that frustration significantly affects behaviour and welfare in dogs (Dickinson & Feuerbacher, 2025). Frustration can reduce problem-solving ability, increase stress responses, and contribute to behaviours that are often misinterpreted as “bad behaviour.”
For many pets, Christmas triggers:
- disrupted routines
- overstimulation
- reduced access to rest spaces
- unfamiliar visitors
- changes in owner attention
What looks like “naughtiness” is often a nervous system struggling to cope – or a dog needing rehoming in an environment that suddenly feels unfamiliar and unsafe.
Understanding this could prevent countless rescue dogs from ending up in shelters.
How Can We Help Responsibly?
Here are welfare-centred ways to support local rescues like Bath Cats & Dogs Home this Christmas:
1. Donate money or supplies
Shelters always need:
- High-quality food
- Enrichment toys
- Bedding
- Cleaning supplies
- Vet-approved treats
If you’re not sure what to buy, many shelters have Amazon wishlists where you can purchase something they actually need. This is a safe way to support dogs needing homes during the holiday season.
You can also support directly by donating to the RSPCA Winter Appeal
2. Support fundraisers (like our 2026 charity calendar!)
We are donating 100% of the money made from our first charity calendar. Every calendar purchased means more resources for rescue dogs for adoption and other animals who need it most.
It’s a simple act with a meaningful impact and you get 12 months of the More Than Human pack’s adorable faces.
Order here:
https://morethanhuman.uk/product/the-more-than-human-charity-calendar-2026/
3. Share adopt-not-shop messages
This is not an ‘us vs them’ issue where everyone who adopts is ethical and everyone who buys is unethical. But it is important to highlight the issues associated with buying from unregulated breeders such as:
- High incidence of health issues
- No control over welfare standards
- Early separation from the mother often leading to behavioural issues
- Poor socialisation often leading to behavioural issues
- Stress, trauma and anxiety
- Contributes to a larger system of suffering — puppy farms, trafficking, overbreeding
Instead, consider adopt a dog Christmas initiatives. Adopting a pet responsibly ensures you are prepared and committed for the long term.
Adopt, but only if you can.
4. Volunteer your time
Shelters often need help with:
- Dog walking
- Cat play
- Cleaning
- Enrichment
- Fostering
Just a few hours can genuinely improve an animal’s welfare experience, giving rescue dogs that need homes, a better chance at socialisation and care.
5. Don’t give pets as surprises
If someone wants a pet, the decision should be:
- Planned
- Researched
- Financially prepared
- Consideration of breed
A pet is not a present, it’s a relationship and commitment for 10+ years.
A Final Reflection
As you look through the More Than Human charity calendar this year, I hope you feel the heart behind it: every animal photographed is deeply loved, safe and understood.
Not all animals are that lucky, but together, we can change that.
This Christmas, ask yourself:
“What small act of kindness can I offer that might change a dog’s entire world?”
