The Mercury (Pottstown, PA)

Santa ‘Paws’ returning to Animal Medical Center

Annual fundraiser Saturday includes bake sale, raffles

- By Gary Puleo gpuleo@21st-centurymed­ia.com @MustangMan­48 on Twitter

TRAPPE » It’s that time of year again to coax your furry baby to “sit” and “stay” just long enough to capture the perfect pet portrait with Santa.

Whether Bella and Buddy have been naughty or nice, it’s no questions asked when the season’s most in-demand bearded icon returns for the sixth annual Pet Pictures With Santa “Paws” fundraiser 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Animal Medical Center (AMC), 25 W. Third Ave., Trappe.

As always, the Yuletide festivitie­s will also include a variety of baked goods for sale, doggie sundaes and the popular lineup of raffle prizes, featuring another staggering array of goodies donated by area businesses.

“We had a lot of repeat businesses, which is great, and we also had quite a few new donations this year too, including several restaurant­s in King of Prussia,” noted AMC’s practice manager Jane Olson. “It’s great that businesses have been so supportive, and that’s really the whole idea of the event, to not only support the nonprofit but to get the support of the area businesses too. The lobby is set up with prizes and people are already buying their tickets,” Olson added on Monday.

Prizes include a grand prize of four Flyers tickets, parking pass and access to Cadillac Grille, valued at $600 and donated by Schultz Technology); Dog Basket, Cat Basket (both donated by CareCredit); Copper Accented Wine Accessory Basket, donated by Antech; Commercial Keurig/Pods, donated by Staples; Dog Training Class at AMC, valued at up to $135, donated by Animal Medical Center; Vera Bradley tote valued at $88, donated by Her Hideout; gift cards and certificat­es for Seven Stars Inn; Wojton’s Nursery; Pinot’s Palette; Massage Envy of Collegevil­le; Legal Sea Foods, King of Prussia; Champps, Collegevil­le; Friendly’s, Pott-

stown; Vinnie’s Pizza, Oaks; O’Grady’s, Phoenixvil­le; Tornetta’s Pizzeria, Pottstown; Rossi’s Pizzeria, Royersford; Hand & Stone Massage of Oaks; Wegmans, Collegevil­le; Marzella’s Pizza, Collegevil­le; Giovanni’s, Royersford; Licata’s Italian Deli, Pottstown; Olive Garden, Collegevil­le; Jersey Mike’s Subs, Oaks; Da Vinci’s Pub, Collegevil­le; Speck’s, Collegevil­le; PJ Whelihan’s, Oaks; Vince & Tony’s, Limerick;

Red Robin, Collegevil­le; Firefly Café, Boyertown; Copperfiel­d Inn, Limerick; Java’s Brewin’, Limerick; Panera Bread, Collegevil­le; Ice House Steaks & Pizza,, Pottstown and dozens more.

With AMC’s veterinary technician Ken Bishop reprising his role as Jolly Old St. Nick, Kelsey Deanna Photograph­y of Harleysvil­le is donating its services for the day again this year. Cost for the photo is $12 for a single pet, $15 for two or more, with all proceeds going to the 2017 beneficiar­y, PACT for Animals.

“PACT was a choice that we all agreed on for what they do, as far as supporting the military and helping people facing a medical crisis,” Olson said.

Past animal-related beneficiar­ies have included The City of Elderly Love, Mostly Muttz, Merlin’s Kids, Stray Cat Blues and Animal House Project.

According to pactforani­mals.org, the nonprofit gives “peace of mind to hospital-patients and militarype­rsonnel by placing their pets in temporary foster homes until their owners can be reunited with the companion animals they love. Every year, thousands of companion animals are surrendere­d into animal shelters due to temporary crises. By providing access to safe foster homes for animals until their human companions can take them back, PACT reduces the number of animals in animal shelters and gives the owners peace of mind that their best friends will not be lost, abused or euthanized. We are the only active nonprofit organizati­on in the country providing this unique, essential service in the animal welfare community, and all PACT programs are free.”

 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTO ?? Romeo, an Italian greyhound, enjoys his moment with Santa at a Pet Pictures with Santa “Paws” event.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Romeo, an Italian greyhound, enjoys his moment with Santa at a Pet Pictures with Santa “Paws” event.

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