Pets, owners both win in holiday adoption

By Jean Compton
The news Bulletin
Nov 10 2005

If you've been thinking of adopting a pet, the holiday season could be the right time to do it.
Nanaimo SPCA has launched its third annual Home For the Holidays campaign where it hopes to find loving homes for all the orphaned animals at its shelter.
"It's a myth that adopting a pet during the holidays is not a good idea." said Lorrain Chiorando, Nanaimo SPCA manager.
"It's been proven all over North America that return rates are low on pets adopted during the holidays."
Chiorando says that people tend to be home a lot during Christmas, so it can be a good time to adopt a pet.
She stresses, though, that adopting a pet must be a well thought out and discussed idea, and not a last-minute gift idea. In fact, the SPCA will not adopt an animal as a gift to a third party.
The Nanaimo shelter has more than 100 cats, a number of dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters up for adoption.
Before any animal is put up for adoption, it is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and treated for worms and fleas. The adoption fee includes a visit to the vet of your choice within three working days.
"It can be a wonderful gift to yourself and your family. You gain a loving pet who gets to share the gift of a loving home," said Chiorando.
To see available pets, please see www.spca.bc.ca/nanaimo, or visit the SPCA at 2200 Labieux Rd. Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
For more information, please call 758-8444.