Bring Christmas to the Animals supports shelter

Jackson County Humane Society is opening its doors from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and inviting the public to help “Bring Christmas to the Animals.”

Each year the animal shelter, on G Avenue West in Freeman Field at Seymour, holds an open house to give people an opportunity to learn more about the facility and bring a little Christmas cheer to its four-legged furry friends.

The event also serves as the perfect time for the public to bring in donations to help the shelter care for the dogs and cats it houses, said longtime volunteer and board member Ellen Mirer.

“People who want to bring donations often do so at that time,” she said.

On the shelter’s wish list this year are a number of items used daily.

“The two big things are food and bleach,” Mirer said. Bags of Purina cat/kitten and dog/puppy chow as well as bottles of bleach for cleaning, clean blankets and towels, laundry detergent and toys are needed.

For those who would like to donate but are on a tight budget, Mirer recommends bringing in old towels and blankets from home that aren’t in too bad of shape or old tennis balls.

Mirer said the event also gives people the chance to visit and play with the animals as well as fill out an adoption application.

“We want people to see that the shelter is a good place, not a sad place,” she said. “We have a lot of great animals here.”

In the course of the year, the shelter will house anywhere from 400 to 500 dogs and cats, Mirer said, and relies on donations from the community as well as volunteers to remain open.

During the open house, the shelter will also offer a pet boutique for pet lovers to buy a variety of items with proceeds going to help shelter homeless animals.