The Holiday Spirit

By Brianne Harrison

As we noted in our most recent issue, the holiday season seems to bring out people’s charitable sides. We donate our pocket change to the Salvation Army, or perhaps a gift to a needy child. Some, like seven-year-old Jake Rothstein, go a little further.

Jake is a second grader at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School, a Woodbridge resident, and a major animal lover. While picking up his newly adopted cat, Felix, from Angel PAWS in Colonia, he noticed the many other needy animals housed at the shelter and decided to do something to help them. So, Jake is organizing a collection of supplies the shelter needs at the BarronArtsCenter’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which takes place today from 5-7 p.m.

Items the shelter needs include cat and dog food (wet and premium dry), litter, paper towels, paper plates, cleaning supplies (bleach, soap), towels, pet beds, toys, bathroom throw rugs, plastic garbage bags, grooming items (q-tips, cotton balls), and office supplies (paper, pens, etc). The collection box will remain at the ArtsCenter until December 31.

Santa Paws
Why should kids get all the fun? Take your pets to see Santa and have their pictures taken this weekend!

The Morris Animal Inn (120 Sand Spring Rd., Morristown) will have holiday pet photos on Saturday, December 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Morris K9 Campus (1 Aspen Dr., Randolph) will have photo sessions on Sunday, December 6, also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photos will be taken by professional photographer, Hugo Juarez. A $10 sitting fee includes one 5 x 7 photo. Additional images may be ordered. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey. For reservations, call Morris Animal Inn at 973.539.0377 or Morris K9 Campus at 973.252.5100.

Santa will also be stopping by the Jersey Shore Animal Center (185 Brick Blvd., Brick) this Saturday and Sunday from 12 Noon to 3 p.m. for pet photos. Cost is $10 per photo and all proceeds benefit the homeless animals at the Center. For more information, call 732.920.1600 or visit jerseyshoreanimalcenter.org.

Princeton-based SAVE, a Friend to Homeless Animals, is hosting Photos with Santa at PetCo in the Mercer Mall on December 5 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the animals at SAVE.

Happy Howl-idays!