The man in red visited PETstock last month and listened to all the meows, woofs and … what noise does a lizard make? But yes, even a lizard got to meet Santa.

A helper at the Adoptable-run event Alex Stoupas said it was a fantastic day for pets and their owners.

“Everyone tried very hard to make the pets comfortable and have that opportunity to take the perfect photo,” she said.

“It’s a great chance to have a fun photo you would not normally take on your own.” 

One of Ms Stoupas’ dogs died last year. 

She said a photo from the same event two years ago helped her to remember her dog at Christmas.  

“It is a great little memento for pet owners to have,” Ms Stoupas said. “I put my photo of my dog with Santa on the mantelpiece every year at Christmas time. It’s wonderful.”

PETstock could not host the Santa meet and greet last year because of an active parvovirus strain.