LOS ANGELES : Pet Giveaway Retooled Amid Concern Over Abuse

The city of Los Angeles will end the free dog and cat giveaway it traditionally offers in the days leading up to Christmas because of concerns that many animals adopted as impulse gifts are neglected or later returned to the shelter.

Instead, the city Animal Regulation Commission agreed Monday to create animal gift certificates offering dogs or cats at the city shelters at reduced prices. By requiring a modest investment, officials said they hope that owners will give more thought to their decision.

The giveaway program is funded by Tailwaggers of America, an animal care group. In the past, the organization compensated the city for all animals that were given away and paid for spaying or neutering charges.

The program was designed to take advantage of holiday gift-giving and reduce the number of animals in the city’s pounds. Last year, 56,000 animals were euthanized out of 81,000 animals that were handled, officials said.

But some animal rights activists complained that the dogs and cats suffered when they were adopted during the holiday hubbub.

“It’s a really hectic time in most homes,” said Commissioner Ellen Stein.

The tentative plan is to waive the adoption fee, which is about $20 for dogs and cats, but still require that prospective owners pay the $28 spaying and neutering charge and, in the case of dogs, the $10 city license. Once the gift certificates are completed, they will be available at city shelters from Tuesday through Saturday.