TAVARES – Are this time of year, people often feel in a charitable mood, willing to contribute their time and money to good causes and to help those in need.
One government agency in Lake County is asking the public to consider going one step further, and offering a truly special gift to one very vulnerable group: offering their homes, and their love, to an unwanted pet.
As Elisha Pappacoda, public information officer for the Lake County government, noted, there are still pets living in the Lake County Animal Shelter that need a home, so this month the shelter is offering special incentives to bring pet owners through their doors.
“Holidays are happier with pets!” Pappacoda noted. “Give your family the gift that keeps on giving – a shelter cat or dog delivered directly to your home by a jolly elf on Christmas Eve.”
To find homes for the animals they care for, the staff at the Animal Shelter will be hosting “Operation Santa Paws” from Monday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 21. Just visit the shelter during that week, pay the adoption fee and schedule your pet’s arrival to your home.
“There is no extra charge for this special delivery,” Pappacoda noted. “However, space is limited due to time constraints.”
The shelter is also offering “pawtificates,” or gift certificates that people can use to adopt either one dog or two cats. Available for purchase for $10 at the shelter, they include the price of the adoption, vaccinations, microchip, and spay or neuter.
The pawtificates can be redeemed through March 1, 2018.
TO help bring more people into the holiday spirit, the shelter has also put up a “giving tree” in their lobby. Decorated with ornaments that feature adoptable animals, it’s the ideal spot to donate many of the items that the shelter staff needs this holiday season, including towels, blankets, treats and canned food.
“In a perfect world, all of our pets would have a home for the holidays and we are working hard to that end,” said Shelter Director Whitney Boylston. “Pets offer a lifetime of love. So while we encourage the public to take advantage of our Christmas promotions, potential adopters should keep in mind that pets are a commitment and to choose responsibly.”
To find out more about the Lake County Animal Shelter, stop by the shelter at 28123 County Road 561 in Tavares, call 352-343-9688 or visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/LCAS.
For up-to-date information and photos of adoptable animals, follow the shelter on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyAnimalShelter and Twitter at www.twitter.com/lakeshelterpets.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the book “Koby’s New Home”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
