Santa Paws sponsors pet adoption discounts throughout December

TEXARKANA, Ark. — The cost of adopting a dog or cat from the Animal Care and Adoption Center will be discounted through December, thanks to the shelter’s Bringing Home Santa Paws for Christmas campaign.

Sponsorships by local businesses and other community members will reduce the cost of adopting a dog to $40 and the cost of adopting a cat to $20 for the rest of the year.

Sponsors will cover the cost of adoption- related veterinary care, leaving only the adoption fee for potential pet parents to pay. Total dog adoption cost normally ranges from $124 to $181, depending on the dog’s size and sex. Total cat adoption cost normally is $122.

“Because we just had Thanksgiving, and COVID this year has also hit hard on people, and with Christmas coming up, a lot of people don’t have $150 to $200 to fork out on a pet.

“Even though they could be an amazing pet owner, an amazing home, they’ve got to think about Christmas presents and all that. So this is just my way of helping people who truly want a pet,” Animal Services Director Kayla Tucker said.

This year’s is the

second annual Santa Paws campaign. The number of sponsorships is down this time, but Tucker stressed that she understands and remains thankful for what Texarkana has been able to do for the shelter’s animals during a difficult year.

“I do understand, and I do want the community to know that I know that they’re still supporting us, especially our local businesses. And I understand that COVID has had a huge impact on them. So I don’t want them to think I’m disappointed in them in any way. I’m very proud of the community and how we’ve been able to keep each other going through the pandemic,” she said.

(For more information or to sponsor an animal for Bringing Home Santa Paws for Christmas, call the Animal Care and Adoption Center at 870-773-6388.)

■ TOP: Dooley, a female cur mix dog, waits to be adopted at the Texarkana Animal Care and Adoption Center. Through December, the shelter's Bring Santa Paws Home for Christmas event reduces dog adoption costs to $40 and cat adoption costs to $20 through sponsorships of local businesses.

Submitted photos ■ BOTTOM: Max, a neutered male Labrador retriever, and Brownie, a spayed female lab — a bonded pair that must be adopted together — wait for their “forever” homes at the Texarkana Animal Care and Adoption Center.