2022-11-23

‘Tis the season

Kelly Inglis, manager

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter is all decked out for the holidays and all our resident pets are hoping to find their forever homes.

While that is our wish for them too, it is important to keep in mind that pets should never be given as surprise presents. Pets are a 15-20 year life commitment and plenty of thought and planning should be considered when bringing home a new furry family member.

The hustle and bustle of Christmas morning is exciting for many families, especially those with children. But introducing a new pet can be very traumatic amid the chaos that many homes experience, and can have negative lasting effects for the pet.

We strongly recommend avoiding the old cliché of wrapping up a new puppy or kitten in a box for the children to open Christmas morning. Instead, gather for a planned quiet family time and slowly and gently introduce your new furry family member.

If you are looking for a way to help during the holidays, we are always looking for volunteers (our pet residents deserve their delicious holiday meals and snuggles too!).

At the top of our wish list right now is canned cat food, dry cat and kitten kibble, javex and other cleaning supplies, laundry soap and bags of wood pellets. Monetary donations are a huge help with our enormous animal care bills, and with any donation over $10, we can issue a charitable tax receipt.

Another way to help is to pick up your 2022 SHAID Tree Lottery tickets. Ticket sales close next week (November 30)! Tickets are $30 each or two for $50 and you can win $25,000, a 2023 Honda Rancher ATV, or a $500 gift card to Giant Tiger.

You can find tickets at SHAID, Giant Tiger, Shur-Gain Feeds N Needs, Bridgewater Honda Powerhouse, Sobeys Bridgewater, and Sobeys in Liverpool, or give us a call at 902-543-4849. This lottery is our largest annual fundraiser and all money raised goes directly to helping the south shore's homeless and abandoned pets in need.

Plan ahead and consider opening your home to a new furry family member this holiday season and reap the benefits of warm snuggles, entertainment, love, companionship, and knowing you are providing a loving home to an animal in need. Talk to us here at SHAID and we can provide lots of tips on the best ways to introduce your new pet into your home!

As always, much love and thanks to the unwavering community support shown to our little shelter and the animals needing that helping hand.