PETA slams Kim Kardashian for gifting each of her children a dog: 'Puppies are not plushies'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Animal rights organization PETA has publicly criticized Kim Kardashian for gifting each of her four children individual puppies on Christmas.
The group argues that the reality star missed a vital opportunity to advocate for animal adoption by choosing to bypass shelters during a period of high pet homelessness.
Kim Kardashian is facing backlash for gifting four puppies
The Kardashian household expanded this holiday season significantly as Kim Kardashian revealed on Instagram that she gifted a new Pomeranian puppy to each of her children, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Kanye West.
Puppies aren’t plushies. Kim and Khloé Kardashian missed a huge opportunity to use their platform to help shelter dogs instead of buying from breeders. Ignoring the homeless animal crisis is inexcusable. Next time, call a shelter and choose adoption. https://t.co/hHdaQ5Lb8a
— PETA (@peta) December 27, 2025
This move immediately drew a sharp rebuke from PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk, who emphasized that living animals should not be treated as lifeless holiday presents.
"Puppies are not plushies, and it’s a damn shame that Kim missed the chance to be a spokesperson for shelter pups and instead is being rightly slammed on social media for that," Newkirk stated, highlighting the backlash the 45-year-old star has faced online.
PETA urges Kardashian sisters to support local shelters
In addition to criticizing Kim Kardashian, PETA addressed her sister Khloe Kardashian, who also introduced a black Labrador retriever puppy to her family on Christmas Day.
Newkirk urged both sisters to "call PETA or a local shelter the next time" they consider adding to their animal family. To rectify the current situation, the organization suggested that the family should engage in community service or financial support for animal welfare.
Newkirk noted that the sisters could "try to make some amends now by sending their kids to volunteer at a local shelter or paying for a local shelter adopt-a-thon or at least one spay day to help stop the growing homeless puppy crisis."
Kardashian family pet history includes everything from reptiles to horses
The arrival of these five new puppies adds to an already extensive list of animals owned by the famous family, which includes everything from reptiles to horses.
Kim’s household was already home to several Pomeranians, including Sushi and two others acquired in 2019, as well as a bearded dragon named Speed.
This pattern of acquiring high-profile pets extends to the rest of the siblings, as Kylie Jenner is known for her large pack of dogs, while Kendall Jenner maintains a horse named Arizona.
This long history of pet ownership is reportedly why PETA believes the family’s influence should be used to promote the "adopt, don't shop" movement rather than further contributing to the demand for bred animals.
