Santa Paws Presides at Adopt-a-Pet Yule Party
It was an unbeatable combination: children, animals, senior citizens and Santa all in a party atmosphere.
The occasion was the fifth annual Adopt-a-Pet Party at the Long Beach Animal Control Center. Sixty-five dogs and cats were given away Saturday to low-income senior citizens and underprivileged children who could not otherwise afford to have a pet.
This program is made affordable because the sponsoring agencies, Beach Charities and the FHP health maintenance organization, promise a lifetime of animal food and veterinarian care to the qualifying adoptive “parents,” who in turn must promise to provide a home and love.
Helping with the pet distribution was the Beach Charities mascot, dressed as Santa Paws, who posed for pictures with the participants. Participants were able to choose their pet through coupon requests.
“The response to this program from the community is remarkable,” said John Gonzales, senior animal control officer.
Over the five-year history of the program, the shelter has given away more than 600 animals. And Beach Charities continues to support them with funds raised from its other charity events.
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