Reality television star Khloé Kardashian has defiantly showcased her family's new designer puppy on social media, brushing off a wave of public criticism and a stern rebuke from the animal rights organisation PETA.
A Festive Puppy Sparks Controversy
The 41-year-old founder of Good American introduced her followers to a black Labrador Retriever named Peppermint via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday. This came just days after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lashed out at both Khloé and her sister Kim Kardashian for their choice to purchase dogs from breeders as Christmas presents for their children, rather than adopting from shelters.
In one sweet snapshot, Peppermint posed by the driveway, sporting a striking scarlet collar and a heartwarming puppy pout. Khloé shared another image from above, highlighting the dark-coloured dog splooted on a hardwood floor, her red collar adorned with a silky bow and cute white heart designs. The reality star let the undeniably cute photos speak for themselves, adding no caption.
PETA and Public Backlash Intensifies
The display followed a strongly-worded statement from PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk, who condemned the sisters' actions. Newkirk accused them of "ignoring the homeless animals crisis" and being "inexcusably callous." She urged both Kim and Khloé to contact a shelter next time they wish to bring an animal home and suggested they could make amends by having their children volunteer at a shelter or funding an adopt-a-thon.
Kim Kardashian, 45, faced the brunt of the initial attack after she revealed she had gifted each of her four children—North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm—their own Pomeranian puppy for Christmas. She announced the new arrivals with a photo of the four pups cuddled on a sofa, simply captioning it, "Each kid got a puppy."
Public reaction on platforms like Reddit was swift and critical. One user stated firmly, "Puppies are not Christmas gifts for kids," while another lamented, "This is honestly so sad." Critics expressed concerns that the children would not learn the responsibility of shared pet ownership and worried the dogs might be neglected once the novelty wears off.
A Deeper Connection and Family Adjustments
For Khloé, the new Labrador holds a poignant significance. Her daughter True, seven, and son Tatum, three, had been asking for a puppy. Furthermore, Khloé previously owned a beloved black lab named Gabbana, who passed away in 2018 at the age of fourteen. She once referred to Gabbana as her "first child" in an emotional tribute.
Khloé sourced Peppermint from Big Creek Labradors, a breeder based in Indiana, and later gushed, "I am going to cry she’s the best in the world." She has since posted videos showing her children, True and Tatum, bonding with the new pet. The family's Russian Blue cat has also been pictured curiously observing its new furry sibling from the safety of a chair.
This is not the first time the Kardashians have faced scrutiny over their pet care. In 2022, Kim came under fire after a video posted by her daughter North appeared to show the family's Pomeranians, Sushi and Sake, living in a garage setup with pee pads, despite festive decorations.
Despite the ongoing controversy from fans and animal rights activists, Khloé Kardashian's latest Instagram posts make it clear she is celebrating the joyful new addition to her family, seemingly unswayed by the external noise.
