The holiday season is a great time to surprise a loved one with a furry little friend.
This Saturday (Dec. 14) the Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS) will be hosting its Christmas Party Open House from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event is a fundraising effort to aid the animals within the shelter and also provides individuals with an opportunity to visit the adoptable cats, dogs and bunnies.
This year the shelter has opened its doors to more than 1,700 animals, not including the ones that were already in their care. Over 800 cats, 800 dogs and 32 small animals have been taken in. Often the ones that come through require medical assistance or have special needs. CAHS is fortunate to have a hospital on site which allows each animal to be administered care, a home and endless love from all the dedicated volunteers and staff.
This year's Christmas event will showcase a delicious bake sale, pet portraits by Paul from The Dog with a Bow Photography and Stuff the Van where community members can help fill the shelter van with items from the Society's wish list. All proceeds go directly back into CAHS assisting all the animals in need.
Some essential items are non clumping cat litter, bleach and preferably Royal Canin canned puppy and kitten food although, all donations are greatly accepted.
Seeing as the holiday season can be tricky for gift giving, CAHS has a unique gift idea for all the pet lovers in your family.
"We offer what we call gifts of love, so what we're doing is you can buy them in other peoples' names and they are basically donations to the shelter," explains Lisa Kedian, communications coordinator with CAHS.
"Each donation goes toward helping a cat get spayed or neutered or vaccinations or medication for one of our shelter animals."
CAHS services surrounding areas including Rocky View County as well as Airdrie. Kedian adds that it is important to have the much appreciated support of the community to continue to be able to do what they do.
Pet portraits are $20 and a time slot will need to be booked at 403-932-2072. The bake sale is also a community favourite which Kedian recommends coming a little earlier for because goodies tend to go fast. For more information about the event or to see the pet wish list visit cochranehumane.ca.
