IRVINE : Photo Opportunity: Santa, Family Pets

The Irvine Animal Care Center is inviting all Orange County residents to bring their pets for a charity photo session with Santa Claus on Dec. 12 and 13.

Most of the money raised will be spent on veterinary expenses, such as minor and major surgery for injured animals, said Laura De Mars, spokeswoman for the Irvine Animal Care Center.

“For many of these animals, if they didn’t receive medical attention, they would most definitely have to be destroyed,” De Mars said, adding that budget cutbacks have made the second annual benefit particularly important.

“The city of Irvine used to help us tremendously, but now the times have changed and we have to help ourselves,” De Mars said.

The cost for each color photo is $7.

Although most of the money raised will be used for medical care, the animal care center also purchases microscopes and finances children’s exhibits and trips to senior citizen centers.

Those interested in bringing their pets and animals for a photo with Santa are asked to bring them on a leash or in a carrying case. The sessions are Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m.

Among the animals currently being cared for at the shelter are boa constrictors, iguanas, parrots, goats, dogs, cats and a pig named Hamlet.

For information, call the Irvine Animal Care Center at (714) 724-7740 or the Paws Auxiliary at (714) 786-7161.