You can feel that special something in the air as all the boys and girls are on their best behavior in hopes that Santa Paws will fulfill all of their holiday wishes to find their perfect Forever Homes! So, far the Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) has helped over 2,400 animals find their way into loving Forever Homes, but they aren’t done yet. The holidays are an especially busy time of the year for adoption centers around the country as they look to help homeless animals find their Home 4 the Holidays as many would be adopters consider the idea of adopting over shopping for their new pet.
It was in 1999 that Iams® supported the first Home 4 the Holidays event with the Helen Woodward Animal Center and 14 participating shelters in San Diego County. Over the past 13 years existence of the program over 5.7 million animals have found homes nationally with the 3,500 organizations that participate in the Home 4 the Holidays campaign worldwide. This year the Home 4 the Holidays goal is to place 1.5 million orphaned animals into their forever by January 3, 2012.
The MCSPCA is proud to be celebrating their Home 4 the Holidays event on Saturday, December 3rd at the Homeward Bound Adoption Center located in Eatontown, NJ. Since August the MCSPCA has been rescuing puppies from overcrowded shelters in the South and they were faced with the problem of how to fit all of the usual festivities in the building. However, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Shrewsbury’s Party Corner for providing a heated tent, the MCSPCA will be able to do it all! “The company and its employees are socially conscious and enjoy opportunities to give back to the local community by involvement with such organizations as the MC SPCA and other worthy causes,” said Party Corner representative, Andy Ruch of the coming to the aid of the MCSPCA. All of the fun and adoptions start at 12pm and since there is so much to do this year they have extended their hours until 7pm including the Maureen O’Brien Cats and Dogs Thrift Store.
Making a special appearance this year will be Sandy Levine, the former host of NJN’s Homeless Tails and animal welfare advocate appearing from 1pm – 3pm signing copies of the children’s book Kitty Humbug. “A visit 20 years ago to my very first animal shelter – the Monmouth County SPCA – inspired me to devote much of my career to producing and hosting television programs about animal welfare and adoption,” commented Sandy Levine, television producer. “My daughter Caroline and I are really looking forward to being part of the Home 4 the Holidays event, to help raise money for a fantastic shelter, and to see lots of deserving animals find new homes. We’ll be introducing everyone to a fun character named Kitty Humbug. He’s a shelter cat that helps save Christmas in Kitty Humbug’s Christmas Tail, a children’s book written by my sister. If you love cats, this grumpy “poodle cat” in the Santa hat will put a smile on your face. We’ll have Kitty Humbug books and stuffed animals on hand for sale, so Kitty Humbug can help raise money for the SPCA,” continued Ms. Levine.
Not ready to adopt an orphaned pet at the MCSPCA? Well, you can still spend a great day supporting the residents of the organization by shopping for the pet or pet lover in your life. There will be plenty of animal friendly vendors on hand such as; Texties a t-shirt company founded by Michael Baratta, age 12, Ally Baratta, age 11, and Sally Carden, age 10, Jodes Happy Tail all natural dog treats, Doggie B’dannas by Karen are looking forward to meeting you. And don’t forget to stop by the Monmouth County SPCA Woofs ‘n’ Whiskers Boutique table and pick up your 2012 Homeward Bound Alumni Calendar or some of their logo wear. Owned pets are also welcome to visit Santa Paws for their holiday wish list and photos for a small donation. For a complete list of vendors, activities or to print out a Home 4 the Holidays flier click here.
The Monmouth County SPCA will also be teaming up the Pet Pantry Project to hold their first ever holiday food drive. “The food requests coming in are overwhelming and it’s not even Thanksgiving,” said Lindsay Sanator, founder of the Pet Pantry Project whose goal is to help keep loved pets in their homes. Please bring any canned or dry dog and cat food as well as any additional pet supplies to the Saturday, December 3rd event directly to the Pet Pantry Project truck parked outside of the Monmouth County SPCA Home 4 the Holidays tent.
