COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Two lucky kittens from the Collier County Domestic Animal Services shelter are getting a new home for the holidays with Kelly Abraham's family.
"Our cat died recently after sixteen years, so we've really been anxious to get another one," Abraham said. "And then I couldn't decide, so we're getting two."
"In the last week, we've had nineteen cat adoptions, and seventeen dogs," said Sarah Bridenbaugh, senior animal care specialist with Collier DAS.
She said some of the people adopting pets planned on surprising their children with a new furry friend for Christmas, but that most have brought their kids to the shelter to make sure it's a good match first. Bridenbaugh recommends the latter approach.
"Do some research and see which animal would be good as a fit in your house," she said. "Then meet with the animal, just to see which kind of personality fits best within your family."
But adopting isn't the only way people are helping pets at the shelter. Bridenbaugh said DAS has gotten lots of gifts from local Santas in the past several weeks, after making a request for some much-needed donations.
"We were running low on things like toys, beds and blankets," she said. "We reached out to members of the public - we posted on Facebook, our volunteers shared it, and it's been a huge success. We've gotten hundreds of toys and other supplies that we were in desperate need of."
Anyone wishing to donate pet supplies, or adopt a pet, is encouraged to visit the Collier County DAS shelter at 7610 Davis Boulevard in Naples.
