The Humane Society for Hamilton County has a special place in my heart. About a month after my wife and I were married we adopted a Boston Terrier puppy from the Humane Society. It was a little unexpected but Executive Director Rebecca Stevens knew I wanted that breed and when a neglected little guy was brought in we couldn’t get him home fast enough.
At this time every year, HSHC starts its annual Homeward Bound for the Holidays Adoption Campaign which features 20 shelter animals – 10 dogs and 10 cats. Unlike our pet, these are animals that have been waiting for homes the longest or are in the most urgent need of a home. To help these four-legged friends find a new family, each of the featured animals comes with an incentive package valued at nearly $1,000 to encourage potential adopters to consider one of these deserving animals. Adoption fees for the featured 20 are also reduced to just $20 through Dec. 31.
“The 20 animals featured in the campaign have been over-looked for far too long,” Stevens said. “Some are a bit older, some are “bully breed” dogs who are often passed by simply because of the misconceptions regarding the breed, and then there are those who haven’t been with us as long as some but are declining rapidly due to stress.”
I know Stevens’ holiday wish would be to see all 20 of these animals wake up Christmas morning in a home and not a cage. Nothing under the tree would warm her heart like that feeling – and the same holds true for the other HSHC dedicated volunteers.
If a new animal is not applicable for your situation, there are other ways to help. Volunteering is always an option or you could donation tax deductible items on the HSHC holiday wish list. Wish list items includes bleach, paper towels, canned cat and dog food, feral cat dens, poop bags, adoption folders, natural balance limited ingredient diet, gift cards for Tractor Supply, Walmart, Lowes, Staples, Meijer and gas cards, white copy paper, kongs and nylabones.
When you’re checking off items on your holiday shopping list, please remember the Humane Society.