Why not give gifts that enrich the lives of people and animals? A wide range of gifts are available to provide people and pets with companionship, foster respect for animals and the environment, or improve an orphaned animal’s quality of life.

If someone you know is ready to add a dog or cat to the family, don’t buy them an animal. Instead, give them a Pet Gift Certificate from L.A. Animal Services. Selecting a pet-like making a friend-is personal, so it’s important to let the owner choose. With a Pet Gift Certificate, the recipient can select from among the hundreds of adoptable animals at the city’s six Animal Service Centers and provide a shelter animal with a loving home.

Certificates are available in a variety of amounts and can be used for dogs or cats. Adoption fees include vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and (for dogs) licensing. Certificates are valid for one year. To purchase a Pet Gift Certificate, visit any of the City of Los Angeles’ six Animal Service Centers:

• North Central Animal Care Center, 3201 Lacy St., LA 90031
• West Los Angeles Animal Care Center, 11361 W. Pico Blvd., LA 90064
• East Valley Animal Care Center, 14409 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys 91405
• West Valley Animal Care Center, 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth 91311
• South Los Angeles Animal Care Center, 3320 W. 36 th St., LA 90018
• Harbor Animal Care Center, 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 90731

If you’d like to help a shelter animal, but your gift list doesn’t include a potential pet owner, you can make a donation on a person’s behalf to the City’s Animal Welfare Trust Fund. Donations enhance the quality of life for shelter animals by funding animal supplies, medical equipment and improvements to Animal Service Centers. For information or assistance, residents can call L.A. Animal Services at 1-888-4LA- PET1/1-888-452-7381 (TTY Hearing Impaired: 877-875-8205) or visit the website at http://www.laanimalservices.com