While the idea of waking up to a puppy or kitten on Christmas morning is an enticing one, the city’s Animal and Bylaw Services suggests waiting until after the holidays to become a pet owner.
Director Bill Bruce said a better alternative to buying pets as Christmas presents is giving a gift certificate.
“The whole issue comes up every Christmas about gifting of pets,” said Bruce. “Pets are a wonderful addition to everybody’s life but a pet is a very intimate thing.”
He said it’s better when people are able to come in and pick animals that they bond with.
“We all hear the stories about gifting someone a sweater that they hate. It’s worse when you’re dealing with an actual living being.”
The gift certificates can be purchased year-round and don’t expire. That approach allows the recipient to have a pet when the time is right for them, Bruce said.
He added that if Animal and Bylaw Services doesn’t have the right animal for the gift-certificate holder, it can work something out with the Humane Society.
Gift certificates can be purchased at the Animal Service Centre at 2201 Portland St. SE.
