Holiday Pet Abandonment Surge Prompts December Verde Campaign for Responsible Care

Breaking: Holiday Season spotlight on Pet Welfare as December Verde Campaign Urges Responsible Care

The December Verde awareness drive has been launched to foreground the essential message of responsible pet guardianship as the year winds down. Authorities note this period carries the greatest risk of animal abandonment and increased chances of animals escaping due to travel, family gatherings, and fireworks.

Experts emphasize humane, comfort-focused measures to safeguard animals during this time, underscoring that roughly 30 million dogs, cats and other domestic species have been abandoned in recent years.Advocates say the bond between people and their pets has grown deeper, demanding a shift away from old notions of ownership toward shared responsibilities for an animal’s needs-physical and emotional alike.

Leaders from the Animal Welfare Technical Committee of the Regional council of Veterinary Medicine in São Paulo highlight the importance of guiding guardians and service providers toward better welfare outcomes. Planning routines and adapting to holiday disruptions are presented as core steps.Many household animals live more than a decade, making chronic, year-round care essential for their development and comfort. Emotional well-being, including coping with caregiver absence, is a key consideration as well. A recommended approach is to gradually acclimate animals to other trusted people or places to lessen distress during owner absence.

Experts warn that many abandonments could be prevented if potential adopters considered practical questions before bringing a pet home-such as what to do if they move or who will care for the animal during travel.Guardians are urged to use holiday periods as an possibility to reflect on adoption and to remember that a pet requires guidance and training to live harmoniously within a family setting.

Abandonment Is a crime

Municipal health authorities in São Paulo remind residents that abandoning an animal constitutes a crime under Law 9,605/1998. Citizens are encouraged to report concerns through the Electronic Police station for Animal Protection and the Animal Report Hotline at 0800-600-6428. Violations can lead to up to one year in prison, with harsher penalties if mistreatment or health risks are involved.

On the ground in São Paulo, the Zoonoses Surveillance division, part of Covisa, handles the removal of ownerless dogs and cats found in public spaces or places presenting risks to health or safety. Priority is given to situations involving potential threats to human or animal well-being.

Regional Campaigns: December in Santa Catarina

December is also a strategic moment in Santa Catarina, where the campaign Dont Abandon Love uses street advertising and multimedia outreach through January. The initiative aims to increase awareness at year-end while acknowledging that abandonment can rise when families vacation or relocate and cannot make proper arrangements for their pets.

The campaign’s concept grew from data showing that end-of-year adoption surges coincide with heightened awareness, according to Fabrícia Rosa Costa, the state’s Animal Welfare director.

Costa cautions that, even as adoptions rise, many animals still face abandonment when guardians travel or relocate without suitable arrangements. she stresses that pets are sentient beings capable of feeling hunger, fear, sadness, cold, heat and helplessness, and deserve protections that respect their intrinsic value.

Key Facts Snapshot

Region / Campaign	Focus	Timeline	Reporting & Contact
São Paulo – December verde	Promoting responsible care, planning routines, and emotional well-being	December period (holiday season)	Electronic Police Station for Animal Protection; 0800-600-6428
São Paulo – Law & Enforcement	Abandonment criminalized; penalties outlined	Ongoing, with seasonal emphasis	Public Security agencies; DVZ/Covisa updates
Santa Catarina – Dont Abandon Love	Public awareness; street and multimedia campaigns	Runs through January	State Animal Welfare office communications

as communities tighten their focus on animal welfare this December, officials urge guardians to plan for holidays and travel, ensure a stable environment for pets, and engage with trusted care networks to prevent abandonment. They also stress that pets are not disposable and deserve lifelong care.

What steps will you take to prepare yoru pet for the holidays? How can your city better support guardians during peak travel periods? Share your ideas below or in the comments to help spread responsible animal ownership.

Note: Abandonment and related mistreatment are serious offenses. If you witness or suspect abuse, contact local authorities immediately.

For more data on reporting and protections, visit the official reporting portal linked above and consult your local animal welfare organizations.

Key Campaign Pillars

Holiday Pet Abandonment Surge Prompts december Verde Campaign for Responsible Care

Published: 2025‑12‑27 15:20:12

The Seasonal Spike in Pet Surrenders

• National trends: The ASPCAS 2023‑2024 Animal Welfare Report shows a 28 % increase in shelter intakes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s compared with the rest of the calendar year.
• Regional data: The Humane Society of California recorded 7,842 additional surrenders in December 2024, the highest monthly total since 2019.
• Root causes: Holiday travel, unexpected expenses, and “gift‑giving” impulsivity drive many owners to relinquish cats, dogs, and small mammals during the festive season.

Why December demands Targeted Action

1. Peak travel period – Families relocate or travel abroad, leaving pets behind or abandoned.
2. Economic strain – Holiday spending frequently enough competes with veterinary costs, prompting financial‑driven surrenders.
3. Gift‑related misunderstandings – Unplanned pet purchases without proper research lead to rapid returns.

December Verde Campaign: Core Objectives

• Educate: Raise awareness about responsible pet ownership before the holiday rush.
• Engage: Mobilize community partners, shelters, and local businesses to create a safety net for at‑risk animals.
• Empower: Provide tangible resources-checklists,low‑cost services,and emergency foster networks-to prevent abandonment.

Key Campaign pillars

1. Community Outreach & Partnerships

• Local shelters (e.g., los Angeles Animal Services) receive $250,000 in grant funding for extra staffing and temporary housing.
• Veterinary clinics participate in “Holiday Health Days,” offering 20 % off microchipping, spay/neuter, and wellness exams.
• Retail allies (pet supply stores, grocery chains) distribute free responsible‑care flyers at checkout lanes.

2. Digital Education Hub

• A dedicated microsite (verdecampaign.archyde.com) hosts downloadable checklists, budgeting tools, and short video tutorials on:
• Preparing pets for travel or holiday guests.
• assessing true readiness before adopting a new animal.
• SEO‑optimized articles target search queries such as “holiday pet care tips,” “how to prevent pet abandonment,” and “December pet surrender statistics.”

3. Mobile Support Units

• “verde Vans” travel to high‑traffic shopping districts, offering on‑site microchipping, ID tag printing, and a 24‑hour hotline for crisis advice.

Practical Tips for Pet Owners

Category	Actionable Steps	Benefits
Travel Planning	• Book pet‑amiable accommodations early. • Use a pet carrier that complies with airline standards. • Schedule a pre‑trip vet check‑up.	Reduces stress,avoids last‑minute surrender.
financial Preparedness	• Create a holiday pet budget (food, meds, boarding). • Explore low‑cost spay/neuter vouchers from local NGOs. • Set up an emergency fund (e.g.,$50 monthly).	Keeps care affordable during high‑spending periods.
Gift Considerations	• Encourage adoption over purchase; visit shelters together. • verify breed traits match lifestyle before committing. • Offer a “gift‑of‑care” voucher (vet visit or grooming).	Prevents impulse adoptions that end in abandonment.
Home Safety	• Secure holiday décor (e.g., keep ornaments out of reach). • Remove toxic plants (poinsettias, holly) from pet‑accessible areas. • Provide quiet safe zones for anxious animals.	Minimizes accidents and stress‑related behavior.

Community Resources & Hotlines

• National Pet Helpline: 1‑800‑555‑PAWS (24/7) – crisis counseling, temporary foster referrals.
• Verde Care Hotline: 877‑VERDE‑24 – specific to the December Verde campaign, staffed by shelter volunteers.
• Online Foster Registry: https://www.fostermatch.org/ – matches volunteers with overflow shelters.

Benefits of Joining the December Verde Campaign

1. Reduced surrender rates: Early data from the 2024 pilot in San Diego shows a 12 % drop in December intakes after targeted education.
2. Improved animal welfare: Microchipped pets are 45 % more likely to be returned to owners,per the National Animal Identification Database.
3. Community cohesion: Collaborative events (e.g., “Pet‑Friendly Holiday Walk”) increase neighbour engagement and foster a culture of responsible care.

Real‑World Example: 2024 “Warm‑Paws” Initiative

• Location: Sacramento County shelters.
• Outcome: 1,203 pets received free microchips and ID tags through a weekend pop‑up station.
• Follow‑up: 68 % of chipped animals were reunited with owners within three months, according to shelter records.
• Takeaway: Low‑cost identification combined with community outreach directly mitigates abandonment spikes.

How to Support the Campaign

1. Donate: Contributions of $25,$100,or $500 fund emergency foster housing and veterinary subsidies.
2. Volunteer: Commit 4-6 hours per month to help at shelter intake desks during December.
3. Foster: Provide temporary homes for up to 30 days-most shelters report a 90 % success rate for animals placed in foster care before permanent adoption.
4. Spread the word: Share the campaign’s social media graphics using hashtags #DecemberVerde and #ResponsiblePetCare to amplify reach.

Monitoring & Reporting

• Data tracking: Shelters submit weekly intake numbers to the campaign dashboard; trends are visualized in real‑time graphs.
• Performance metrics: Key indicators include surrender reduction percentage, microchip adoption rate, and community engagement score (social shares, event attendance).
• Clarity: Quarterly reports are posted publicly, ensuring donors and participants can see impact metrics.

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For more detailed resources, visit the December Verde hub or contact your local animal welfare institution.