ON DEC. 12 from 5-8 p.m., the Humane Society of Greater Savannah will be hosting its first annual "Home for the Howl-idays" event to send every single one of their pets home to loving families.
Following a successful fall fair that led to the adoption of eight animals and almost $6,000 in raised funds, the Humane Society of Greater Savannah decided to host “Home for the Howl-idays” with two main goals in mind. The first is to adopt out every animal in the shelter, and the second goal is to raise $5,000 for the facility’s medical department.
The building will be wrapped from inside out in Christmas decor, but the event will be primarily held outdoors. Christmas market vendors will line the fields outside, and festivities will be held for children in the kid zone. There will be stockings available for $10 per child with discounts offered to families with multiple children. The stockings will admit the children into the kid zone, where they can enjoy crafts, games, a chance to fill their stockings, and the opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus.
“With COVID-19 going on, the stressful presidential campaign, and more stressful recent events, I think it will be so nice to have something that’s childlike and pure and happy, and there’s nothing happier than watching these animals get adopted and go home,” said Montana Tohm, foster coordinator.
“The whole staff has animals at home, but these are our babies too, and though we’re supposed to have boundaries, it’s hard not to get attached,” Tohm added.
The night of empty kennels will serve as a morale booster for the staff members who love to see all of the animals find homes. Cats, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, and other available small animals will be available for adoption at the event. Lonely hearts, which are animals that have been at the facility for 30 days or more, will be especially promoted.
Once an animal is adopted that day, due to a high-volume expectation, they may be put on hold for families to pick up the next day. This gives the staff a chance to make sure that the animals have received adoption counsel, spaying, or neutering.
The event will follow Covid safety regulations to include required masks, limited guests and members per section, and guidance along the floors. Additionally, the facility has plenty of hand-washing stations.