AS once again, animal shelters across the country bulge at the seams with unwanted Christmas presents and abandoned pets, may I please appeal to people to think carefully before buying a pet at any time of the year.

I would advise anyone thinking of taking on a pet to firstly buy a book about caring for it and read up exactly what will be involved in its day-to-day care.

Consider how big it will grow, how long it will live, what temperament will it have, how expensive will it be to feed, will it need neutering/spaying, what suitable environment will be needed to it to live in, have you time to exercise it if it is a dog.

Once you have the relevant information then decide if the pet is for you, keeping in mind all pets will need to see a vet sometime in their life and this costs money.

If you can afford it both financially and time-wise and are prepared to look after it properly for the full span of its life, then go ahead and buy it.

If not, then don't start something that will only end in misery for the pet and a problem for animal shelters.

J Harwood, Moor Park Ave, Blackpool.