Extended hours, adoption fees and a chance to have your pet’s picture taken with Santa Claus are offered during the event.

PINELLAS – Pinellas County Animal Services will celebrate the 12 Paws of Christmas with extended shelter hours and special adoption fees of $12 from Tuesday (Dec. 1) to Dec. 13.

Pet owners can bring their pets to the shelter to have their picture taken with Santa. A professional photographer will be on hand to take the family portraits for $10, with the proceeds going to the Animal Welfare Trust Fund. Pictures can be taken from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13.

During the 12 Paws of Christmas, the shelter hours will vary. The shelter will be open extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 2), Dec. 7 and Dec. 9. It will be open normal hours all other dates. During this time, the adoption fee will be $12 for large dogs who are four months or older, cats and kittens. The adoption fee for puppies and small breeds will be $40. This special includes medical checkup, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, internal and external parasite control, heartworm tests, feline leukemia testing and microchipping, which totals to a $200 value.

Adoption counselors will be on hand to ensure that the right pet goes to the right family.  Renters who are considering adoption are encouraged to bring a copy of their lease that states that pets are welcome.

“We have found that the value of what people get from adopting a shelter pet is priceless and no adoption fee will cover that,” said Doug Brightwell, interim director of Pinellas County Animal Services. “Specials like the 12 Paws of Christmas aren’t just about getting a pet at a reduced fee, but making sure that our adopters are able to make a lifetime commitment to an animal.”

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Normal hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, with the adoption center closing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and services include adoptions. Rabies vaccinations are administered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The facility is closed all Pinellas County holidays.

For information on how to adopt, donate or volunteer, join on the Animal Services Facebook site, facebook.com/pinellascountyanimalservices. For information about the shelter, call (727) 582-2600 or go to pinellascounty.org. The lost or found pet hotline is (727) 582-2604.

Photo courtesy of Pinellas County.

Pinellas County Animal Services | Pet Adoption | Dogs and Cats | Stray Pets | Lost Pets | TB Reporter

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