The Cortez Animal Shelter’s annual fundraiser pairs sponsors with dogs and cats up for adoption.
For a minimum of $25 a business, organization, or individual can have a four-legged elf become a walking billboard.
Every day up to Christmas, staff dresses up the shelter pets in colorful holiday sweaters, attaches a placard with the sponsor’s name, and takes them on a pet parade to businesses along Main Street.
“It is a way to help your local animal shelter and get your business advertised,” said shelter director Jennifer Crouse. “The sponsor’s ad stays on the cage until the animal is adopted.”
Last year, the shelter raised $1,600, and the year before, sponsors contributed $1,400. This year, the program is starting earlier to take advantage of the holiday spirit.
The money goes toward improving the shelter’s facilities. The plan is to build a larger fenced yard with sod, purchase shade trees, and add more cat condos for mothers to raise their kittens.
The pets and the public love the program, Crouse said, and it inspires adoptions. The past two years, 10 dogs and 10 cats were adopted because of the 12 Strays of Christmas program, she said.
“The animals love the Main Street tour, and the people enjoy seeing them all dressed up,” Crouse said. “When they are in the open, it’s a more positive perspective than seeing them in a cage.”
The shelter has seven dogs and 14 cats up for adoption. Crouse does not recommend giving a shelter pet as a gift though, because too often they are brought back.
For those that truly need a companion, a shelter pet is a good choice.
“They make the best pets,” said shelter employee Marcia Gard. “They look at their new owners as saviors and are very loyal.”
For more information on sponsoring a pet call (970) 565-4910.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com