Christmas is a bad time to adopt a dog.

Dogs Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, has today announced that it will suspend the rehoming of dogs from its centre over the Christmas period in an effort to stop people from rushing into the decision of adopting a dog. While puppies are a popular Christmas present, Dogs Trust say that training and socialisation in the early months of a dog's life are crucial and something that many people cannot provide over the busy Christmas period. As such, Dogs Trust will be pausing all dog adoptions starting from today (16 December) until 4 January. However, the centre in Finglas will remain open to the public during that time, so people can visit all the dogs looking for homes and start the rehoming process with a view to adopting in the New Year. The charity has reported that it has received 2,135 requests from individuals who wish to give up their dog for adoption throughout the first 11 months of 2019. January was the busiest month for such requests. Executive Director at Dogs Trust, Becky Bristow said: "Dogs Trust coined the phrase 'A dog is for life, not just for Christmas' over 40 years ago, and sadly it is still as relevant today as it was then. "Each year we are saddened and worried by the number of people looking to relinquish their dog, especially in the first few months after Christmas. "It’s no surprise that January continues to have the highest number of surrender requests and reinforces our need to go out with our message every year that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas." There are currently 176 dogs and puppies in the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre.