We are a nation of animal lovers, and the statistics prove it.

The UK has 12 million pet dogs and 11 million pet cats, meaning 57 per cent of households contain pets.

Sadly, approximately 250,000 of those pets go to rescue centres every year, adding to the 1.1 million homeless pets in the UK.

The question is, why such alarming data?

According to several animal charities I consulted, the reasons why people abandon a pet go from being unable to afford their upkeep to something as ridiculous as the dog is the wrong colour.

Impulse buying during the COVID lockdown played a major part too, and at present, the change brought by "no-fault evictions" is forcing landlords to evict tenants to sell their properties.

The information I gathered made me realise how vital rescue centres are in safeguarding abandoned pets.

Fortunately, we have the ARC Animal Rescue Centre in Ottery, which is doing an incredible job.

However, it continually needs help to cover the costs of its operations.

I spoke with their manager, Crystal Scott, to learn more about their work as the only independent animal charity in East Devon since 1972.

Here’s what Crystal had to say:

"We generally take in unwanted dogs and cats, but this year, we have also helped to rehome a hundred goldfish, four rats, three budgies and a tortoise.

"When taking in dogs and cats, we try to get the animal's vet history to make sure, as far as possible, we are not taking in animals that are not re-homeable because of their aggressive behaviour or incurable illness.

"For some owners, handing in their pets is very distressing, and we try to reassure them that we will be able to find them a new and loving home.

"We have a large exercise area here, and for some dogs that have lacked enough exercise, that is a real game changer.

"We also have an experienced volunteer dog trainer who takes the dogs off-site to assess them in public.

"The vets visit us regularly, and every dog is given a full health check and receives any treatment necessary before being put on our website for rehoming.

"It is then up to us to decide the most suitable person to adopt them.

"Running a small charity is very expensive.

"We apply to charitable trusts for funds, but it is mainly local people leaving us legacies that keep us going.

"Since the pandemic, finances have been very tight, and we have cut costs by using many more volunteers who have been amazing.

"Many charities have had to close, but we are still driven by the determination to help as many animals as possible."

After talking to Crystal and reading the statistics, I asked myself: why buy a dog when you could adopt one?

So, I asked the owners of the dog that is portrayed on the centre's 2025 calendar the question.

They answered: "Nothing beats the love of an adopted dog; that dog knows you saved them, showing it in their behaviour and affection.

"The financial side is cheaper as the adoption fee covers microchipping and spaying or neutering.

"This is our second adopted dog, and we would do it again without hesitation.

"Adoption's financial benefits help you make a responsible and compassionate choice."

When financial constrictions are looming, job uncertainty is a reality, and worries brought on by continuous world instability are prevalent, we are forced to think twice about our decisions.

If you’re considering getting a dog this Christmas, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons of your decision.

Pet ownership is a commitment for life, and it’s important to remember that abandoning a pet should never be an option.

If you're not ready for this responsibility, consider other ways to support animal welfare, such as volunteering at a rescue centre or donating.

This commitment to pet ownership is a duty that should be respected and upheld.