If Santa is stopping at your house with gifts for Fluffy and Fido, he may be interested in a few last-minute gift ideas:

• In the fun but functional department are humane collars and glam ID tags and leashes. Most local pet-supply stores carry an assortment of patterned, themed and even bejewelled gear for every pet’s fancy. For collars, be sure to avoid choke, prong and electric shock collars that could hurt your pet and instead purchase humane collars such as flat collars, martingale collars, head collars and harnesses.

• Smart toys for both dogs and cats can provide hours of enjoyment for your furry family members. Available at most pet-supply stores, smart toys include treat balls, Kongs and puzzle feeders. Cats also enjoy feather wands, balls and other toys that appeal to their natural instincts to hunt and stalk.

• Most cats enjoy using a scratching post. They use them to leave their scent, for exercise and to stretch their muscles. Deluxe scratching posts come in a variety of sizes, complete with perching shelves. Some are even made from attractive natural wood that you can sand yourself when they become worn. 

Read The Province newspaper for more gift ideas for your pet or, if your pet has everything, consider helping a homeless animal this holiday season.

• If you have a two-legged animal lover on your holiday gift list, the BC SPCA’s Pawsitive Gifts program lets you support an animal in our care on their behalf.

• Gifts of Love and Hope is a donation matching program that runs until Dec. 31. The first $150,000 in donations will be generously matched by the Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation.

• The new Guardian Angel program lets donors choose the animal they wish to support and send messages directly to the staff and volunteers caring for him. When the animal is adopted, donors who become Guardian Angels are notified of the good news.

• Our four priority funds allow donors to direct their support to specific areas of our work. They are the Biscuit Fund for Medical Care, the Heroes Fund for Animal Protection, the October Grey Fund for Animal Care, the Monty Fund for Community Education & Outreach and the Highest Priority Needs Fund.

The BC SPCA provides care and protection to more than 36,000 animals each year. Your gift can help a homeless, injured or abused animal get a second chance at finding a loving "forever home". Please donate today.

Photo caption: Smart toys like treat balls can give your pet hours of activity.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.