Animal rights organization PETA has publicly criticized reality television star Kim Kardashian for her choice of Christmas presents for her children. The founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Ingrid Newkirk, issued a strong statement calling the gifts a 'damn shame' and a missed opportunity to advocate for shelter animals.
The Festive Puppy Surprise
On Christmas Day, Kim Kardashian revealed on her Instagram Stories that she had surprised her four children with a major gift. Each child—North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6—received their own small Pomeranian puppy. The 'Skims' co-founder shared a photo of the dogs with the caption, 'Each kid got a puppy.'
In a separate Instagram Story also posted on December 25, her sister Khloé Kardashian shared that she had similarly gifted a black Labrador puppy to her children, True, 7, and Tatum, 3. The festive reveals were quickly picked up by multiple media outlets.
PETA's Strong Condemnation
On Sunday, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk released a formal statement condemning the sisters' actions. 'Puppies are not plushies,' Newkirk stated, emphasizing that animals are not disposable toys. She expressed disappointment that Kim Kardashian, a influential public figure, missed a chance to be a spokesperson for shelter adoption.
Newkirk called the decision 'inexcusably callous' for ignoring the ongoing crisis of homeless animals in shelters. She directly asked both Kim and Khloé to contact PETA or a local shelter the next time they consider bringing an animal into their home.
Calls for Amends and Action
The PETA founder didn't stop at criticism; she proposed concrete steps for the Kardashians to make amends. Newkirk urged the sisters to:
- Send their children to volunteer at a local animal shelter.
- Pay for a local shelter adopt-a-thon event.
- Fund at least one community spay day to help control the pet population.
These actions, according to PETA, would help address the root cause of the homeless puppy crisis. As of now, neither Kim nor Khloé Kardashian has publicly responded to PETA's statement. Representatives for both stars did not immediately reply to requests for comment from news outlets.
The new Pomeranian puppies join the Kardashian-West family's existing collection of the breed, which they have owned since 2019. The incident has sparked significant discussion on social media about celebrity responsibility and ethical pet ownership.
