Some pet centres in Medicine Hat putting adoptions on hold over Christmas. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

LIFESTYLE

Medicine Hat organizations pause pet adoption to avoid returns

Dec 18, 2024 | 4:25 PM

Some pet adoption centres around Medicine Hat are putting a pause on adoptions over the holidays.

They say a new pet doesn’t typically make the ideal gift, as they pose quite the commitment to own.

A few local adoption services and pet stores discourage the purchasing of an animal at this time of year.

The Medicine Hat SPCA is holding off on adopting out pets from Dec. 17-28, but will remain open for services otherwise.

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Ruff Start Rescue Society will close adoptions from Dec. 23 until Jan. 2. This is on top of their detailed screening process that is implemented year-round.

Dave Flemmer, assistant manager at Animal World pet store, said that pets shouldn’t be cared for only temporarily.

“We do refer to it as actually an adoption, we don’t refer to it as a sale, only because it is a commitment,” he said.

“We’re looking to provide long-term homes for these animals, not temporary situations that they get moved around,” he added.

“It’s not a decoration. It’s part of the household, part of the family.”

Animal World will be pausing adopting out pets from Dec. 20 until the 27.

A bearded dragon sits perched, waiting for its forever home. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Flemmer said that, regardless of the time of year, their adoption process gives all the information one needs.

Policies and procedures are studied with those who adopt. A clause is agreed to in regards to retaining ownership of the pet.

He said that pets should not be an impulse buy decision.

“Sometimes it can be that impulse sort of thing. We all get that bit of panic about buying of last minute things,” he said.

“That ‘Oh gee, I really don’t know what to do. Well, they said they would like…’, and it’s not the ideal,” he added.

“You’d like to have everything in place for the animal, before you get into bringing them into the home situation as sort of an afterthought,” he added.

“That’s why, even during regular days we have an adoption process, we don’t do adoptions 30 minutes prior to the store closing.”

Flemmer recommends gifting a wrapped photo of the pet, if anything. Before commitment, this can prevent any chance of returns.

Donations for APARC and Root Cellar sit under a Christmas tree. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Animal World is currently promoting 10 per cent off any purchase with a donation of $20 or more to Alberta Pound and Rescue Centres or Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub.