In a statement released Sunday, Dec. 28, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals founder Ingrid Newkirk criticized the reality star’s holiday surprise, saying puppies should not be treated like toys.
“Puppies are not plushies, and it’s a damn shame that Kim missed the chance to be a spokesperson for shelter pups,” Newkirk said, adding that Kardashian is now facing backlash online for the decision.
Kim shares her four children — North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6 — with ex-husband Kanye West. According to PETA, giving animals as gifts can contribute to pet abandonment when the novelty wears off.
Newkirk also took aim at Kim’s sister Khloé Kardashian, who reportedly added a dog to her household this Christmas as well. She urged both sisters to consider adoption in the future.
“They should call PETA or a local shelter the next time they want to add another dog to their family,” Newkirk said. She added that the Kardashians could still “make some amends” by having their children volunteer at shelters or by funding adoption events or spay-and-neuter programs to help address what she described as a growing homeless puppy crisis.
Kim revealed the new additions through a series of Instagram Stories on Christmas Day. The posts showed four small Pomeranian puppies — two dark-colored, one cream, and one sable. In one photo of the dogs together, she wrote, “Each kid got a puppy.”
Khloé also shared photos on Instagram on Dec. 25, showing a black Labrador retriever puppy that her family received as a Christmas gift.
The Kardashian household is no stranger to pets. Over the years, Kim and her children have shared photos with several animals, including pet lizards like a bearded dragon named Speed. The family already owns multiple Pomeranians, including two adopted in 2019, as well as one named Sushi.
Across the wider Kardashian-Jenner family, pets have ranged from dogs and cats to reptiles and horses. Youngest sister Kylie Jenner owns several dogs, while Kendall Jenner is known to own a horse named Arizona.
As the debate continues online, PETA’s message remains clear: when it comes to pets, adoption — not gifting — is the responsible choice.
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