Tucson Tails: Last minute Christmas gifts for pets, people
by Karyn Zoldan on Dec. 20, 2012, under Animal News, Cats Meow, Feline Fun, Dogs, Canines, Fun with Fido, Barking Encouraged
Merry Christmas
Last minute Christmas gifts for pets and their people
–Pet grooming gift certificates
- Pet Designs Salon
- For DIYers – Dirty Dawgs Self Service
- GabiKat Grooming (cats only)
–Dog treats not made in China (this is tough; read the labels) – just because a product says “distributed in the USA” doesn’t mean it’s made in the USA.
–Beading Divas Bracelets – for the month of December, all bracelet sales go to helping project Going Home / Greyhound Protection League to get dogs safely out of Tucson dog track. Every bracelet comes with a paw charm and is made with donated beads. Read more here including where to buy bracelets locally.
–PAWSH at La Encantada on Skyline sells cute toys and pet treats and all the proceeds benefit HSSA
–HSSA thrift shop has much cool things — housewares, clothes, tchotchkies where proceeds also benefit HSSA
–Kismet, a green thrift shop offer fair trade, local, vintage and heirloom treasures at fair prices. Benefits Tucson CARES
–Books – Clues Unlimited has an assortment of animal books and many mysteries which feature, cats and dogs. One of my favorites is the Spencer Quinn books where Chet the mutt is the storyteller.
–Greyt Escape accessories – tag & martingale collars & leashes
–Pay it forward — Contact your friend’s veterinarian and inquire if you can pay it forward for the next time your friend needs to bring his or her pet in. As someone who takes her dogs to the vet far more than I take myself to the doctor, this kind of gesture would blow my socks off (in a good way).
–For your neighbor who doesn’t pick up dog poop – biodegradeable poop bags.
–Gift certificate for low cost spay or neuter at ABC spay & neuter or or HSSA
–Subscription to BARK magazine, Modern Dog, Cat Fancy
–Try to buy from local pet & feed stories: OK Feed & Supply (2 locations – Midtown & Sahuarita), Arizona Feed (South Tucson & Wetmore/Flowing Wells), Marana Feed, Tucson Feed (Wrightstown), Paws & Claws Boutique (Campbell & Ft. Lowell), Birds Unlimited (Tanque Verde & Ft. Lowell/Country Club).
–A thoughtful gift to the person who has everything — make a donation to their favorite pet charity in their honor or in memory of a deceased pet.
–For a friend or neighbor who is ill or infirm, offer to walk their dogs now and then.
–Do not give a pet (unless maybe goldfish) as a Christmas gift. Christmas Day with all the hazards of candy, ornaments, pine cones, ribbons, batteries, toys with breakable parts, and other distractions is not the time to bring a new pet into the household. However, walking dogs and cuddling cats on Christmas Day at PACC is completely acceptable and most welcome.
Let the dust settle. If you are going to be home between Christmas and New Year, consider adopting (not buying) a new pet when you have some down time to spend with them.
(Photo: Courtesy of HSSA, Emmet the kitten is available for adoption at the HSSA in Park Place Mall)
