Santa Paws

November 30, 2011

Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner?!? While you’re making your list and checking it twice this holiday season, someone is hoping you’ll think of him or her: a pet in need of a home.

According to the Humane Society, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters in the United States each year, so you can just imagine the HUGE need for supplies that each shelter faces. Knowing this, West Coast pet lover Justin Rudd founded Operation Santa Paws, a country-wide effort to gather toys and supplies for shelter pets during the holiday season. Through Operation Santa Paws, you can give much-needed supplies to your area shelters either through personal donation or by creating a "drop box" at your home, job, church, etc., that would allow others to donate as well.

If you decide to create a drop box, you can visit Justin’s website to download free Operation Santa Paws posters for your collection box, as well as printable donation wish lists. To find specific shelters here in the Greater Kansas City Area that will benefit from your donations, visit:  www.heartofamericahs.org . You’ll find addresses, contact information, wish lists, etc.

No matter where or how you choose to give this holiday season, you can bet a furry friend will be very glad that you did! (And if while giving you end up taking home a new family member, MCPL offers a wide variety of pet care books to offer advice an taking care of your new friend!)

Susan E.
Blue Springs North Branch