The song says “There’s no place like home for the holidays.”
The Maryland SPCA is counting on just that, says Aileen Gabbey. Gabbey, the executive director of the SPCA, is speaking of the “Home For The Holidays 2009” event, which has the stated goal of placing shelter pets in permanent homes before the conclusion of 2009.
Home for the Holidays is a national program to promote adoption from shelters around the holidays. The Maryland SPCA has been taking part in it since 2005.
In the past, shelters and adoption groups discouraged individuals from adopting animals around the holidays, or from giving them as gifts. Recent research, however, has shown that animals given as gifts tend to be kept in the home longer.
The important thing to remember, however, say adoption officials, is that the excitement of the holiday season that is so stimulating and fun for humans may seem unsettling to a new pet — or even to a longtime animal companion, and can cause them to behave abnormally, being scared, shy or sometimes even getting into mischief.
In other words, don’t toss in the towel because brand-new Rex or Fluffy isn’t settling into the new routine right away. After all, at holiday time, a lot of regular routines go out the window for people, too.
SPCA counselors can help prospective adopters with tips on how to have a safe and fun holiday, pets and all.
Information on the SPCA’s promotions and hours can be obtained by calling 410-235-8826 or going to www.mdspca.org.
Can’t give a new home? Give a homeless pet a toy
The Maryland SPCA and the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter are teaming up with the Baltimore Guide to collect toys and gifts for homeless cats and dogs. Items can be dropped at the offices of the Baltimore Guide (526 S. Conkling Street) between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, or may be taken directly to the animal shelters (addresses below).
The shelters also accept donations of office supplies, cleaning products, kennel supplies, pet supplies (dog and cat toys, collars and leashes) and office supplies (copy paper, printer cartridges, etc.).
Full lists can be found on the groups’ websites. The Maryland SPCA, located in Hampden: www.mdspca.org or 410-235-8826, or the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, located in South Baltimore: www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org or 410-396-4695.
Shelter a military pet
Want to pet-sit for a soldier who is about to be deployed? Two organizations make it possible for civilians to act as foster homes for cats, dogs, birds, fish and more. Info: The Military Pets Foster Project site is www.netpets.com/, Operation Noble Foster’s site is www.operationnoblefoster.org/.
