Reality TV star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian has found herself in hot water with animal rights organisation PETA and social media users. The controversy erupted after she gifted brand-new Pomeranian puppies to each of her four children for Christmas.
PETA's Sharp Criticism: 'Ignoring the Crisis'
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) strongly condemned Kardashian's decision. The group accused her of turning a blind eye to the ongoing crisis of homeless animals in shelters. PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk, in a statement to The Daily Mail, emphasised that "puppies are not plushies" or toys to be given as gifts. She called it a "damn shame" that Kim missed a valuable opportunity to use her massive influence to promote the adoption of shelter dogs instead.
Newkirk stated that the SKIMS founder was being "rightly slammed" on social media platforms for her choice. She labelled the act of ignoring the homeless animal crisis as "inexcusably callous." PETA urged Kardashian to contact them or a local animal shelter the next time she considers bringing a pet into her home.
How Kim Kardashian Can Make Amends, According to PETA
Despite the criticism, PETA suggested that it is not too late for Kim Kardashian to rectify the situation. Ingrid Newkirk proposed concrete steps the celebrity could take. She recommended that Kim send her children to volunteer at a local animal shelter, providing them with a more meaningful lesson in animal welfare.
Furthermore, PETA suggested that Kardashian could provide financial support to help the cause. This could include funding a local shelter's "adopt-a-thon" event or sponsoring a spay/neuter day. Such initiatives, PETA argues, are crucial to stopping the cycle of unwanted puppies and the growing homeless animal population. The criticism also extended to Kim's sister, Khloé Kardashian, who was called out for recently purchasing a black Labrador puppy for her own family.
The Instagram Post That Started the Backlash
The entire controversy began when Kim Kardashian posted a picture on her Instagram Stories. The image showed four tiny Pomeranian puppies snuggled together. She captioned the photo simply with, "Each kid got a puppy." This post quickly drew negative reactions from followers and animal advocates online.
Kim Kardashian shares her four children — North West (12), Saint (10), Chicago (7), and Psalm (6) — with her ex-husband, musician Kanye West. Around the same time, she also shared other festive posts, including a family photoshoot of her children in Christmas pyjamas from her brand SKIMS and images from a Christmas party. However, it was the puppy announcement that dominated the conversation and led to widespread debate about responsible pet ownership and celebrity influence.
