While the idea of waking up to a puppy or kitten on Christmas morning is an tempting 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 option 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 close 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 jersey 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 finish. That approach allows the recipient to have a pet when the time is right for them, Bruce said. He added that if Animal and regulation Services doesn’t have the right animal for the gift-certificate holder, it can work something out with the Humane Society.
