Santa makes stop at shelter
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on December 24, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Clint raises his paw to shake hands with Adam Pridgen, dressed as Santa, for a treat at the Wayne County Animal Shelter on Friday. The treats were donated by Pet Supplies Plus customers. Pridgen is an employee of the store.
Christmas came early for the dogs and cats at the Wayne County Animal Adoption and Education Center. Santa visited the shelter Friday to give out treats.
The treats -- and some food -- were donated by customers at Pet Supplies Plus over a two-week period, store manager Lindsey Clark said.
"We put up a sign outside the store," Ms. Clark said. "We had a basket at the front of the store, and as customers came in, they purchased things for the animal shelter. People would go shopping and get bags of food and treats, all kinds of stuff. They bought big boxes of dog biscuits. Some people bought 10 or 15 treats at one time."
Team member and Santa, Adam Pridgen, said that nine out of 10 customers would donate to the cause.
This was the first year Pets Supplies has done a collection for the animal shelter, but it won't be the last. It was the brainchild of Ms. Clark and a couple other store associates, who just wanted to do something for the animals at the shelter. And that effort netted 300 treats and food totaling almost $1,000.
Ms. Clark accompanied Santa to the animal shelter to give out the treats.
"It made me really happy that they got the treats," she said. "But it made me really sad to see all the animals that end up here, especially the ones that are here because people aren't responsible and don't spay or neuter their pet."
As Santa made his way through the dog kennels, the animals were glad to see him. When he took a few out to ask what they wanted for Christmas, the dogs rubbed their faces in his beard, snuggled and jumped up to give him lots of hugs and kisses.
The cats also wanted a little loving from Santa, which he gladly gave.
"It was good to be able to come out here and help the animals," he said.