Bringing Cheer to Shelter Pets

For me, the Saturday before Christmas is one of the most depressing days of the year. I go along with Justin Rudd of Operation Santa Paws and hand out gifts to dogs and cats in shelters around Los Angeles and Orange Country. Depressing because it upsets me that these helpless creatures are there in the first place.

Depressing because I have  to witness people dropping off their animals and walking away as if they have just returned a video to Blockbuster! 

Depressing because there are people who genuinely have to surrender their animals and walk away with an empty carrier or leash and in floods of tears. 

What brought good cheer to the occasion was the number of people who showed up to help and the huge amount of toys, treats, food and cleaning supplies that were donated. So much in fact, that Justin and his crew of helpers managed to drop off at additional shelters that weren't even on the list.

Justin started Operation Santa Paws about 9 years ago and since then it has grown across the country as well as in Canada. It's simply a matter of setting up collection booths at pet stores and getting people to donate and then visiting your local shelters to distribute the goodies and bring a little cheer to those frightened and depressed and very stressed pets. More information about how its done can be found at www.HauteDogs.org.

It's still not to late to round up goodies and play Santa Paws. You can and  do make a difference.