Key Highlights
- Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian faced backlash from PETA for gifting puppies to their children during Christmas.
- PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk criticized the sisters for ignoring the homeless animal crisis and not adopting dogs from shelters.
- The public reacted with strong opinions on social media, questioning the appropriateness of puppy gifts as holiday presents.
Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian Gift Puppies to Their Children Amid Animal Rights Controversy
In a move that has sparked controversy among animal rights advocates, Kim Kardashian and her sister Khloe Kardashian have faced criticism from PETA for introducing new puppies into their families as Christmas gifts. The reality star sisters, who are known for their active social media presence and frequent charitable work, have recently brought four Pomeranian puppies into their homes, a decision that has drawn widespread attention.
The backlash began when Khloe Kardashian announced the addition of her new dog, Peppermint, to her family on Christmas. Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), swiftly condemned Kim’s and Khloe’s actions in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail.
Newkirk’s statement called out the sisters for failing to adopt dogs from local shelters instead of purchasing puppies. “Puppies are not plushies, and 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,” Newkirk declared.
Kim Kardashian, who has four children—North West, Chicago, Saint, and Psalm—each received their own Pomeranian puppy as gifts.
While the sisters have previously adopted dogs from shelters, this time they chose to buy puppies directly from a breeder. This decision has raised eyebrows among animal welfare supporters, many of whom believe that adopting older shelter dogs could provide them with loving homes while addressing the issue of homeless animals.
The public’s reaction on social media was swift and harsh. Reddit users criticized the sisters for their choice, arguing that puppies are not suitable Christmas gifts due to their high maintenance requirements.
One user wrote, “Puppies are not Christmas gifts for kids,” while another added, “Animals and pets are not gifts unless someone has really wanted that pet and will truly look after it.” Another commented, “If they each got a puppy then it’s not special at all. How will they learn to love one pet as siblings when they each get a personal dog like it’s a Tamagotchi?”
Kim Kardashian has had previous controversies surrounding her treatment of pets. In 2022, she faced criticism for showing her Pomeranians living in the garage, which many felt was not an adequate living situation for dogs.
At the time, North West posted a video on TikTok showcasing the puppies walking around the garage in tiny coats, and a large pen with pee pads inside.
Khloe Kardashian’s decision to bring home Peppermint has also drawn attention. The Labrador retriever is the second dog Khloe has adopted this Christmas, following the addition of Gabbana, who passed away in 2018 at the age of fourteen. In her emotional tribute to Gabbana, Khloe wrote, “Last night my sweet Gabbana passed away.
She was more than a pet. She was my first child, my companion and my friend…”
The sisters’ actions have sparked debate on social media about the ethics of giving puppies as gifts during the holiday season. While some support their decision to bring joy into their families, others argue that it contributes to the overpopulation of dogs and diverts attention from the need for shelters.
Meanwhile, both Kim and Khloe have defended their choices in interviews, maintaining that they are dedicated pet owners who love their new additions deeply. However, the controversy continues to rage on social media as animal lovers weigh in with their opinions.
