Animal Adoptions of Flamborough invites you and your pets to join their heartwarming “Selfies with Santa & Christmas Sale” on Saturday, December 7th. This holiday event has become an annual tradition that’s a delight for the entire family. It’s a perfect opportunity to capture photos of your cat, dog, and your children cozying up to Santa who will his sleigh parked for the day at the shelter at 1269 Centre Road. Animal Adoptions of Flamborough Vice-President, Anita Saczyk says, “We came up with the idea of holding Selfies with Santa outdoors during the pandemic. Santa will be outside on his sleigh while people take photos of their pets with Santa. It’s been a huge success.”
Visitors can capture photos with Santa with their cell phone. Shelter President, Pam Hesketh says, “All we ask is for a donation. We do not charge a specific amount for the opportunity to take photos with Santa. If people are more comfortable taking photos with their pets inside, we’ve also set up a photo shoot site insider our foyer.” Volunteers are on hand to take photos of the entire family.
Christmas Sale
Afterward, visitors can walk up to the shelter’s upper level to explore the Christmas Sale, featuring unique holiday decorations, gifts, and a tempting selection of baked goods. It’s an opportunity to find stocking stuffers, including new toys for your dog or cat, at a great price. There are household items and jewelry and many of the gifts are hand-crafted by supporters. Saczyk says, “There is something for everyone at the Christmas Sale, including the baked goods that go fast.
Hesketh says, “We have volunteers who will look after your pet while you shop at the Christmas Sale.” And best of all, every dollar spent goes toward helping Animal Adoptions of Flamborough continue their work of caring for homeless cats and dogs while they wait to find their forever home.
The need is greater than ever
Animals Adoptions of Flamborough is currently facing a challenging wave of pet surrenders. Hesketh says, “With life changes and financial stress, more people have had to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their beloved pets. The growing number of dogs up for adoption has filled our foster homes.”
Meanwhile, Animal Adoptions of Flamborough, which is a “no kill” shelter and has reached its capacity with 75 cats in the adoption area, with additional cats and kittens in foster homes. In crowded conditions cats tend to get more stressed and susceptible to airborne viruses. They’ve taken in more kitten litters this year than ever before and have even run out of letters in the alphabet by which they identify each litter. Saczyk says, “Each litter this year seems to be larger than normal. They are often discovered by residents when the kittens start wandering around. Cats can have up to four litters in a year.”
Fundraising is crucial
Without any government funding, Animal Adoptions of Flamborough operates solely on donations and the generosity of supporters. Hesketh says, “We are a private, non-profit organization and we need to raise funds ourselves. Every dollar raised goes directly to essential food, shelter, and veterinary care.” The cost of food, vaccines, medical care, and cleaning supplies add up quickly, and with the rise in pet surrenders, the shelter is stretched thin. Saczyk says, “Fundraising is our only way to meet these needs and help animals that may otherwise have nowhere else to go.”
It’s only through community donations and events like Selfies with Santa & Christmas Sale, that Animal Adoptions of Flamborough can continue their work. Whether someone gives once or joins a fundraiser, every bit of help counts.
Thank you to volunteers
The shelter relies heavily on volunteers to keep things running by lending a hand in-person at the shelter or opening their home to foster a pet. Anita Saczyk says, “We have foster homes for kittens and cats, but we always need more.” The shelter will supply food, litter, and veterinary care to ensure their animals have a safe place to go.”
Outside of four part-time staff at the shelter, everyone else is a volunteer. Saczyk adds, “We want to emphasize how important our volunteers are to us. For example, everyone working at the Christmas Sale is a volunteer. We want to thank them for their support.”
A light in the community
The Selfies with Santa & Christmas Sale not only brings people together to enjoy some holiday fun; the event also raises awareness of the shelter’s work to rescue and rehome animals in need. It might also inspire visitors to get involved and to see how their contributions of money and time can make a difference. Pam Hesketh says, “It’s the power of a compassionate community that keeps our shelter doors open and gives these pets a second chance.
So, mark your calendar for Saturday, December 7th for the Selfies with Santa & Christmas Sale between 11am and 3pm at Animal Adoptions of Flamborough, 1269 Centre Road.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to create memorable moments, bring home some holiday treats and treasures and give back to a wonderful organization that finds forever homes for our furry friends.
