2013 Santa Paws Drive

I don't know where Truffles was last Christmas. She may have been on the streets, or she may have been with a family that let her run free and didn't care when she went missing. All I know is that she was brought to the shelter in July as a stray, and is now getting ready to celebrate her first Christmas in her forever home, where she will be absolutely spoiled rotten.

The sad fact is, most shelter animals won't wake up to toys and treats on Christmas morning like our beloved pets do. That's why I am so happy to support the Santa Paws Drive. Now in it's fifth year, Santa Paws Drive is the first-ever online Christmas toy drive dedicated to pets. Each year, six shelters are selected from different places all over the world to support. This year they received over 550 shelter nominations, and faced the extremely tough choice of narrowing it down to six. Here are the 2013 Santa Paws Drive shelters:

Rikki’s Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 367 acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations. The refuge is home to over 1,200 animals of over 20 different species, including but not limited to cats, dogs, sheep, goats and more. Rikki’s Refuge provides homeless, abandoned and abused animals with a safe and loving place to stay.

Good Mews is a no-kill, cage-free haven for homeless, abused, or abandoned cats while they are waiting for permanent, loving forever homes. Located in Marietta, Georgia, Good Mews has helped find homes for more than 6,800 cats since 1988. Many of their cats arrive abused, neglected, and terribly afraid. They get the care and love they need, and have a home for life.

Union County Animal Control is a small, rural facility with a caring staff that goes above and beyond. Located in Cobden, Illinois, they champion bully breeds and work tirelessly to get animals into rescues, arrange transports and find them homes. While not officially no-kill, they do not kill for space, and we applaud them for all they've been able to do for their lucky, loved animals. All donations go to a fund dedicated only to their animals.

Nowzad Dogs operates the only official animal shelter in Afghanistan. The aim of the charity is to improve the welfare of the animals of Afghanistan, and help reunite soldiers with the pets they came to love while they were there. They also assist the local people by providing vaccinations for their cats and dogs and educating on how to care for their pets.

Contra Costa Humane Society is located in Pleasant Hill, California and is the only no-kill shelter in the area. They never hesitate to pull special needs or less adoptable pets from other local shelters, including pit bulls, senior cats and more. They recently rescued a one-year-old pit bull who was severely beaten with many of the bones in his face broken. He is now healed and happy and loves to give kisses!

Ruff Start Rescue is dedicated to saving all animals whose lives are at risk. Located in Princeton, Minnesota, they rescue animals from high kill facilities, rehabilitate the sick, love the unsocialized pets and maintain a 100% spay/neuter program. They take in more than 600 animals a year, and work with a dedicated team of fosters to care for all of them.

You can donate cash or toys, the choice is yours. All the info can be found here. Let's help put a smile on as many furry faces as possible and shower them with love and gifts at a time when they might otherwise be forgotten. Let's help them to have the special Christmas they deserve.           

Look at this fantastic pile of donated cat toys from last year's drive from the Santa Paws Facebook page!

 

I can't let Truffles see this pile of donated Temptations treats...she might pass out! (They are her favorites!)