As Christmas approaches, some people want their furry, four-footed children to get that special time and a photo op with Santa Claus for Christmas cards, magnets and ornaments, and Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals is happy to oblige.
CARE, which rescues, finds homes for animals and offers low-cost spaying and neutering services, presents its annual Paws With Santa Claus event this weekend and the first weekend in December at the Cammack Village City Hall.
Paws With Santa Claus
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 3, noon-5 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 4, Cammack Village City Hall, 2710 N. McKinley St.
Minimum donation: $20
(501) 603-2273
Most people take dogs. Some take cats. Some take only their human children.
"Anyone and everyone is welcome," says Executive Director Ashley Younger.
A gathering with dogs, cats, small children, treats and Santa Claus sounds like a recipe for mass hysteria -- but things generally are much calmer than that.
Last year, Younger says, the only disruption was caused by her own dog, along with her parents' miniature schnauzer and "a little 3-pound Gidget of a dog."
"Last year the three of them just caused all kinds of ruckus barking at all the other dogs," she says with a laugh. "The other dogs are being so sweet and being good and wanting their Christmas presents from Santa. It was my family's dogs who were going berserko."
That's a rare occurrence, though. Younger points out that people often know their pets' temperaments and whether or not they can handle the excitement.
"We don't care. We're happy to have them," she says. "But I think sometimes people say, 'It's going to stress me out if my dog's going crazy.'"
They have some procedures in place to make the experience as calm and pleasant as possible for all.
While there can be many dogs, cats and families there at once, they're not all inside City Hall. Most of the pets and people are kept in a waiting area outside with chairs and volunteers. Families are then admitted two groups at a time.
When it comes to getting pets ready, Younger suggests hand-held treats used with discretion -- in other words, once safely inside and not outside with 20 other dogs in the waiting area. That could lead to chaos.
Squeaky toys can be handy for getting a pet's attention and waste bags and water are always a good idea.
People are invited to dress their pets up in costumes or to take any props they want to use for the photos.
Younger promises that this year the photos will look a little different, thanks to a brand-new backdrop: "I think that's important to people who've been coming the last several years."
As in past years, there will be two photographers: Evelyn Gomez this weekend and Abby Malone in December.
The minimum donation for a portrait session is $20 and comes with a 5-by-7-inch print. But there are other packages that include ornaments, magnets, cards and wallet-size photos. Ten percent of the money from additional photo package purchases will go to CARE. CARE will also receive a percentage of proceeds from sales of Doggie Daddy products.
This is the fourth and final big annual fundraiser for CARE and, Younger says, "This is always a really, really fun one."
The money raised pays for CARE's many projects, allowing them to rescue more animals and offer low-cost sterilization services.
It's a win-win situation: money for CARE to help more dogs and cats and cute Christmas photos for families -- provided the dogs and cats behave.
And if the treats don't work, Younger says, "Just tell them if they're not good, they'll get coal in their stocking."
Weekend on 11/17/2016