How to Do Pet Gifting Responsibly in Calgary

Instead of giving someone an actual pet, consider sponsoring a service dog in their name or giving an adoption gift card instead.

Thinkstock.

Although a puppy under the tree on Christmas morning might seem like the perfect gift, animals don’t come with a 14-day return policy. While organizations such as the Calgary Humane Society (CHS) do their best to educate those looking to adopt, they strongly discourage pet gifting.

“We do get people who say ‘I want to surprise a member of my family,’ and we discourage that,” says Sage Pullen McIntosh, CHS’s senior manager of communications and community relations. “Instead, we’ll say, ‘what about buying a gift certificate and surprising them with that?’ Then they can come and pick the animal that they think is going to be best suited to them. It’s a really personal thing. It’s an animal that you want in your home or in your life for their lifetime. It’s really important that [the person receiving the gift] is involved.”

 

Instead of gifting an animal, here are some more responsible ways to make pets part of the holiday experience

 

Adoption Gift Card

Purchase a card to pay the entire adoption fee towards a new pet or a smaller denomination to go towards the total cost.

Calgary Humane Society, 403-205-4455, calgaryhumane.ca

 

Foster an Animal

Organizations such as the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) are always seeking loving foster parents to care for animals until they can be adopted. While you must be prepared to show the pet to prospective adopters, fostering is free and all food and medical care is provided.

Animal Rescue Foundation, arf.ab.ca

 

Sponsor a Service Dog

For less than 50 cents a day, you can sponsor a puppy’s training to become a future service dog that could greatly enhance the life of a person who needs it. Sponsors receive progress reports, photos and letters from their sponsored pup, and other perks depending on the chosen sponsorship program. For a unique gift, you can sponsor the puppy in a loved one’s name.

BC and Alberta Guide Dogs Calgary office, 403-258-0819, bcandalbertaguidedogs.com

 

Fundraise for a Cat Shelter

If you and your family are cat lovers, instead of giving and receiving gifts this year consider starting an online fundraising page for the MEOW Foundation. All funds raised go to helping the kittens at the shelter and uphold the foundation’s “no kill” mandate.

MEOW Foundation, 403-230-6033, meowfoundation.com

 

Volunteer

Organizations that cater to animal rescue and adoption are always looking for volunteers.  At the Calgary Humane Society, volunteer roles vary from spending time with the animals to helping during surgical procedures. Volunteer with a loved one during the holidays and give the gift of giving.

Learn more about the people and organizations moving Calgary forward with Avenue's Innovation Newsletter.

Related posts

Innovator of the Week: Nic Beique Has Taken Fintech Firm Helcim to the Next Level

Tsering Asha

Innovator of the Week: Shawn Leggett Upcycles Coffee Grounds and Brewery Grains to Make Food and Cosmetics

Tsering Asha

This Calgary Charity Uses Bikes to Empower Local Youth

Olivia Piché

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy Policy

Privacy & Cookies Policy
Avenue Calgary