Southeast Missourian

Animal shelters often urge people to wait until after the holidays to get a pet, but if a family has already picked out food bowls and a rug, the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri would like them to consider adoption.

"These little guys usually spend the holidays in a kennel, and we would like to see them curled up by a fire with a family," said Requi Salter, member of the local Humane Society's board of directors. "This is the season for buying, but people could adopt a pet from the Humane Society instead."

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri recently announced it will join "paws" with the Helen Woodward Animal Center, The Iams Company, Petco Animal Supplies Inc. and 1,050 pet adoption centers in "Home 4 the Holidays 2002," an event organized to raise awareness of the joys of owning shelter-adopted pets. Organizers hope to link more than 250,000 dogs and cats with loving, adoptive families.

Personnel at the local Humane Society will illuminate a light on the shelter's Christmas tree for every adoption made until all 500 are lighted. This "Cause for Paws" began Nov. 12 and will run through Jan. 5.

"Last year's Home 4 the Holidays was a tremendous success," said Donna Ernest, executive director of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. "One hundred thousand orphaned animals were matched with loving families. This year, we hope to find homes for all of the pets in our shelter."

Bake sale, bazaar

Petco, a national sponsor of Home 4 the Holidays, will hold a bake sale and mobile adoption to benefit the Humane Society from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Petco is at 266 Siemers Drive in Cape Girardeau.

All pets adopted during Home 4 the Holidays 2002 will go home with their own holiday meal of Iams dog or cat food and some Petco coupons. Each new owner will receive helpful information on raising a new pet.

Adoption donation fees range from $30 to $50, depending on the age of the animal adopted and whether the animal is already spayed or neutered.

Those interested in adopting a pet can visit the Humane Society at 2536 Boutin Drive. The shelter is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are from 1 to 4 p.m.

The shelter has extended its hours for this Home 4 the Holidays effort and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. To help or participate, call 334-5837.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133