In this Christmas season, many lucky cats and dogs will receive gifts and hospitality from human families.

Unfortunately, many animals are in the shelter and will not be so lucky.

Most shelters are funded mainly from donations and fundraising, which can provide basic care for lost and abandoned animals, but there is not always excess funds for additional expenses.

This is where the Santa's Claw operation comes in.

The holiday event encourages animal lovers to share gifts at local shelters during December.

Johnny is one of the cats of the Jackson County Humane Society of Seymour. He is 5 months old and has been in the asylum for about three months waiting to be adopted.

Ellen Mirer, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jackson County Humane Society, holds an adoptable cat named Skunk, named after its white stripe on its back.

A black laboratory complex called Flower enjoys fresh air outside the Jackson County Humane Society in Seymour.

These puppies recently arrived at the Jackson County Humane Society in Seymour.

Victor Bryant and his golden retriever Bubby stopped at the Humane Society of Jackson County on Saturday for the annual "Animal Christmas" event Donate.

The annual Christmas event for animals was held at the Humane Society of Jackson County in Seymour on Saturday. The shelter is one of the fundraising activities available when buying cookies on laurajoscookiesforkids.com.

Justin Rudd founded Operation Santa’s Claw in 2001 as part of the Haute Dog organization. The mission encourages animal lovers to donate snacks and pet toys so that the animals in the shelter can feel loved during the holidays like people.

The event reminded people that there are millions of pets in shelters who need a loving home.

According to aspca.org, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter animal shelters across the United States each year. Of these, there are approximately 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. Approximately 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year (2 million dogs and 2.1 million cats). Approximately 810,000 animals that entered the shelter as stray animals were returned to their owners. Among them, 710,000 are just dogs and 100,000 are just cats.

Although many people are adopted, most people spend most of their lives in cages. December is the time to donate new blankets, toys or even some snacks for shelter animals to enjoy.

This is exactly what happened in Seymour on Saturday. The Jackson County Humane Society is located at 1109 G Ave. West during the annual "Bring Christmas to Animals" event.

The shelter is a private non-profit animal welfare organization that provides services to the residents and animals of Seymour. It provides short-term shelter care, lost and found services, adoption, and advice on animal health and behavior for animals.

Although the incident has passed, the Humane Society needs donations throughout the year. Some of the items needed in the shelter include paper towels, detergents, Purina Cat Chow (blue bag), Purina Dog Chow (green bag), clay cat litter that cannot be scooped, medium and large dog collars, Nylabones, Kong toys, dog biscuits And soft bacon or beef dog treats. Gift cards or gas cards, cash and checks from dollar stores are also always welcome.

Volunteers who accepted donations last weekend include Board Chairman Jamie Jones, Vice Chairman Alan Miller, Secretary Becky Buggy Verde and Kennel Assistant Christie Doyle.

Miller said that in a year, they usually receive about 500 animals in the Humane Society. On Saturday, all 7 dogs and 12 cats were accommodated for adoption.

Jones said the dogs and cats are listed on petfinder.com and sisaveapet.com, a network of several rescue networks in southern Indiana.

Jones said: "Since we are still responding to the pandemic, we can only open by appointment so people can come out to see animals or visit specific animals." "If people want pre-approval for animals, or they can fill in here One application can be applied online."

She said that the most important thing is to pair the family and pets together so that both parties will be happy because they want animals to have a home forever.

"So, giving a pet as a Christmas gift is not the best idea, especially if you are surprised by the pet's different personalities," Jones said. "A person should be able to meet with them in advance to see how they will fit into your particular family."

Mirer said that the staff at the shelter kept the facilities very clean and there was also an outdoor sports area for dogs and cats.

At the Saturday event, several people donated money to the Humane Society, including Seymour resident Tom Melton.

"We have a cat in our house, it is cat number 3 for us, and all of our other cats are stray cats, or cats we got from here or other shelters," Melton said. "This is just what we do, and hope our donation will help."

Victor Bryant, another Seymour resident, also made a donation to the shelter. His golden retriever Bobby also came.

"I try to donate to this event every year, and then for the rest of the year, I throw away a lot of toys," Bryant said. "I promised my late service dog Chandler that on the night of his death, I will make sure that any animal I can help, I will help, and everything I do is in his name."

Bryant said he also donated money to other local shelters, including Saints in our Side Animal Rescue, where there are dogs and cats.

The Humane Society’s next fundraiser is from 9 am to noon on Saturday. This is the annual photo with Santa Claus at Paws-N-Klaws Pet Parlor at 631 W. Second St., Seymour. Two 5 x 7 inch photos taken by local photographer Emma Zumhingst cost $20. A drop box for donations from the humanitarian society will also be set up.

To donate to the shelter, please visit the PayPal link on the jchumane.org/support-hsjc website, or you can mail a check to the Jackson County Humane Society, PO Box 135, Seymour, Indiana 47274.

For information, please visit facebook.com/jchumane or call 812-522-5200.

No one covered Seymour, Indiana and surrounding areas like The Tribune.

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