SANTA CLAWS ON DISPLAY : Beverly Hills Boutique Turns Its Windows Into Adoption Center for Orphaned Pets

“Santa Claws” has come to a posh Beverly Hills boutique.

In an effort to find homes for puppies and kittens living in Southland shelters, Gump’s, one of the city’s most elite gift stores, has set up an SPCA adoption center amid its fine crystal, imported porcelain and other home ornaments.

The cuddly animals that romp in the store are hardly intimidated by the expensive, fragile, one-of-a-kind merchandise that surrounds them.

They play vigorously in two festively decorated display windows, tugging at the heartstrings of pedestrians who scurry through the pricey shopping area in search of Christmas gifts.

Since the holiday adoption center opened 2 weeks ago, about 35 animals have found new homes.

Happy Collaboration

Shelton Ellis, executive director of Gump’s in Beverly Hills, said a similar program was used last year in the San Francisco store. Nearly 300 puppies, kittens and rabbits were adopted during the monthlong benefit.

“I grew up on a farm and I’m the son of a veterinarian, so I was eager to get the program started here,” Ellis said. “I’m ecstatic that (Gump’s) can help find homes for needy pets.”

“I think this program is just super,” said Edward Cubrda, executive director of the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “We have come to the conclusion that if we just sit here at our shelters and depend on the public to come to us, we won’t find enough homes for the animals.

“Even if a person is looking for a pet, he may not want to come to a shelter because it’s too depressing to see so many animals, knowing that we can’t find homes for all of them. So instead, we are trying to take our animals out to the public.”

Shelter workers said they handle up to 2,000 animals a month, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, chickens and wildlife. Animals that are not adopted are often destroyed.

Checking Homes

However, the mere sight of chihuahua-terrier puppies in a heartwarming display window, gnawing playfully on a teddy bear’s ear, creates another problem, Cubrda said--impulsive adoptions.

“People see these animals, and immediately want to take them home without realizing the responsibility involved in taking care of a pet,” he said. “Then, after a few months, they get tired of the animal and bring it back to us.”

To prevent impulsive adoptions, prospective pet owners are screened by SPCA-trained volunteers. About 100 community residents have been recruited to work 4-hour shifts throughout the week. An SPCA staff member will also be at the store every day until the program ends Dec. 30.

Penny von Kalinowsky, chairwoman of the benefit, said volunteers ask adoption candidates about the size of their homes and how many adults or children live there. If a candidate is renting a house or apartment, volunteers call the landlord to be sure pets are permitted in the building, she said.

20-Minute Interview

“We can tell a lot about whether or not the (candidate) can provide a good home for the animal through the screening,” she said. “If the person has small children who might mistake a puppy for a toy, we might not allow her to take a puppy because it could get hurt, or it could hurt the child.

“We also ask if they have other pets in the family because, for example, a St. Bernard probably would not get along well with a chihuahua,” she added, as Oreo, a black and white Chihuahua-terrier, licked her cheek.

The interview lasts about 20 minutes and if the candidate qualifies, the pet can be picked up at the end of the day.

“This allows the store to maintain its displays until closing time, and it gives the owners time to think about their decision and make sure it’s what they want,” von Kalinowsky said.

Katrina Kirns was more than sure. The 32-year-old Century City resident adopted a long-haired black kitten with piercing green eyes.

“I’ve been looking for a kitten like this for months,” she said, stroking her new pet. “I think this program is just wonderful because the people who shop around here can afford to take really good care of these pets. I love my new cat.”

The adoption fee is $20 for animals that are neutered and $40 for those that are not. After the new owners have their pets neutered, the SPCA will refund $20.

“We definitely will not give an animal to someone who does not intend to spay or neuter it,” von Kalinowsky said. “That’s how we got this problem in the first place.”