PETA calls out Kim Kardashian for gifting puppies to her children: ‘Puppies are not plushies’

PEA calls out Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian recently found herself at the centre of controversy after giving puppies as Christmas gifts to her children, sparking a debate about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

The 45-year-old reality star surprised her four kids—North West, 12, Saint West, 10, Chicago West, 7, and Psalm West, 6—with a pomeranian each.

Sharing the moment on Instagram Stories, Kim Kardashian posted a cosy snapshot of the tiny pups snuggled together, captioning it, “Each kid got a puppy.” What was meant to be a joyful family moment, however, quickly drew criticism from animal rights advocates and social media users.

PETA was among the most outspoken. “Puppies are not plushies,” the organisation said in a statement to the Daily Mail. PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk added, “It’s a damn shame that Kim missed the chance to be a spokesperson for shelter pups and instead is being rightly slammed on social media for that.”

She suggested that Kim Kardashian could have made a real difference by funding “a local shelter adopt-a-thon or at least one spay day to help stop the growing homeless puppy crisis.”

Newkirk didn’t hold back, saying, “Ignoring the homeless animals crisis is inexcusably callous,” and urging the SKIMS founder to “call PETA or a local shelter the next time [she] wants to bring an animal into [her] home.” She even suggested that Kim Kardashian could involve her children in volunteering at a shelter to instil responsibility and compassion.

The criticism extended to Kim Kardashian’s sister, Khloe Kardashian, who recently bought a black Labrador puppy, reigniting discussions about celebrity culture and the ethics of giving pets as presents.

The debate quickly spread on social media, where people weighed in on both sides. While many saw the gesture as a loving family tradition, others questioned whether young children fully understand the responsibility that comes with caring for a living being.

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Despite the criticism, the Kardashian family’s festive celebrations also included a heartwarming family photo, with the children dressed in Christmas pyjamas from Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS line.

Kim Kardashian shares all her children with her ex-husband Kanye West, while Khloe Kardashian is mother to seven-year-old True and three-year-old Tatum, children she shares with her ex-partner Tristan Thompson.