The "Home for the Holiday" program in Nanaimo has been a great success for many years now.
It is true that a pet must not be given as a gift at any time, unless conditions for a good and long life for the animal are ensured.
The Nanaimo shelter in this case is making doubly sure by careful home checks and interviews of the prospective caregiver, that these conditions are met. They also make certain that it is understood, that the animal may be returned at any time for any reason.
So, in this case the exception is the rule.