Homes For The Holidays Humane Society Wants All Shelter Pets Adopted By Christmas “Honey” has been at the humane society’s shelter since April 29. “Mexico” has been at the humane society’s shelter since Nov. 17, 2004 – for more than a year. “Bob” was admitted to the humane society’s shelter April 4. “TV” has been at the humane society’s shelter since Oct. 1, 2004 – for more than a year. “Missy” was admitted to the Watauga Humane Society’s shelter Jan. 4, almost a year ago. By Mike Shands Lynn Northup needs a lot of help from High Country residents for her Christmas wish to come true this year. The Watauga Humane Society shelter manager wants every one of the shelter’s animals to be adopted by Christmas Day. “We hope that people will open their hearts to a homeless pet this Christmas season and adopt a shelter animal,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure that all of the animals here at the shelter have a home for the holidays. We want to have every cage and kennel empty so the animals won’t have to spend Christmas in a cage, on concrete or alone.” Northup said the shelter is currently home to about 35 dogs and at least 50 cats and kittens. Some of those cats have been at the shelter for more than a year. “I think this is an excellent temporary home, but it’s not a permanent home,” she said. “Animals need a home. They need a family. “There’s not a thing that’s wrong with these cats. They would make excellent pets. Some of the dogs and cats have been here so long that they become depressed because they’re alone a lot.” Northup said adopting an animal from the shelter is like giving the gift of life at Christmas. “When you adopt one animal it creates an opening for another animal to come to the shelter,” she said. Those who can’t adopt can still make a difference by sponsoring a pet in honor or memory of a loved one or a pet with a $40 contribution that will help pay for the cost of caring for the animal. The contributor will be listed on the humane society’s website next to the pet being sponsored. Look on the website for more information about sponsoring a pet. Northup said animal shelters used to discourage families from adopting pets at Christmas time because it was considered to be stressful for the pet. That reasoning has changed, though. “If they’re set on getting a pet, they’ll go somewhere else to get one if we won’t provide them with one,” she said. “We’d much rather that they adopt a homeless pet than buy one.” Pet ownership is a serious responsibility and shouldn’t be taken lightly, Northup said. “When you take on the responsibility of a pet you’re responsible for his care for his lifetime, which could be 15 years or more,” she said. That’s why Northup encourages those planning on giving a pet for a gift to give an adoption gift certificate instead. “It’s better for the person to pick out the pet that best suits their lifestyle and personality,” she said. “And it would be fun for the person to come to the shelter themselves and see which pet or pets they may feel a connection with.” Holiday Closing The shelter is usually open Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. It will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Dec. 24, 25 and 26, except for a brief time Dec. 24. “If people want to reserve a pet and pick it up Christmas Eve, we’ll have somebody here to release them,” Northup said. For more information about shelter pets, the humane society or ways to help call (828) 264-7865 or look online at www.wataugahumanesociety.org.