(Featured image credit: K-nekoTR, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
San Diego Humane Society makes gift giving easy and meaningful this holiday season
SAN DIEGO — It’s a holiday scene as iconic as Santa Claus himself – a puppy or kitten donning a big red bow on Christmas morning. Given how enriching and joyful animal companionship can be, the inclination to share that with those we love is understandable. This holiday season, San Diego Humane Society offers a one-of-a-kind gift option that will bring joy to those who receive it for years to come.
“Since there is no shortage of animals needing homes, gifting a pet can actually be a mutually beneficial opportunity,” says Jennifer Brehler, Chief Operating Officer of San Diego Humane Society. “The key is preparation – ensuring the person receiving the gift understands a companion animal is a long-term commitment and is willing to provide for their pet’s needs, now and down the road. There have been many theories about gifting pets over the years, but studies conducted on the return rate of animals obtained as gifts conclusively show that these pets are no more likely – and in some cases less likely – to be relinquished to shelters.”
Adding a furry member to the family is an important and exciting decision, and one the whole family should experience together. So instead, San Diego Humane Society encourages giving a gift certificate for the cost of an animal adoption fee.
Give a gift certificate for an animal companion – $25-$195
The best way to gift a pet is to involve the pet family and pet parent-to-be in the selection: treat them with a gift certificate that covers the adoption fee of an animal at a local shelter or rescue group. These organizations are often filled to the brim with mixed breed and pure bred animals that need new families. Additionally, this approach allows pet parents time to research what they’re looking for and adequately prepare for the exciting arrival of a new companion animal. Gift certificates can be purchased at San Diego Humane Society’s on-site retail store, Muttique, at both its San Diego and Oceanside Campuses.
