Is there a better time to add a pet to the family than during the holiday season?
SAFE Pet Rescue will hold its annual Tails for the Holidays dog adoption event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Pet Supermarket, 880 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach.
There will be fun for everyone, including a visit from Santa from noon to 2 p.m. when pups can get their photos taken with the Jolly Old Elf himself.
SAFE Pet Rescue members from Ponte Vedra High School will be on hand with baked goods to benefit the nonprofit organization. Meanwhile, local guitarist Frank will entertain with holiday tunes.
One of the highlights will be the silent auction. More than 20 businesses will offer gift items, and proceeds will cover the costs of vet bills, care and supplies. Here’s a look at the donors and some of the items up for auction:
Beaches Facial Plastic & Nasal Surgery Center (ECO2 laser treatment worth $750), Home Depot (fire pit worth $150, outdoor heater worth $130, Christmas dogs worth $30 to $40), Ponte Vedra Inn & Tennis Club (one-hour doubles clinic, tennis goodie bag worth $200), Hand & Stone massage worth $130, Starbucks (two baskets worth $125), Trader Joe’s (basket with 13 items worth $100), Miracle by Rosanna haircut and blow-dry worth $55, Pet Portrait by Elise worth $30.
Other donors (and the items’ value) include: Moroccan Hammam & Day Spa ($110), Longhorn ($100), Carla’s Shoes ($100), Dwight’s Bistro ($100), First Watch ($100), Salt Life ($100), SoNapa Grille ($100), A’propos Boutique ($50), Nona Blue ($50), Brody’s ($25), Chili’s ($25), Fifi’s ($25) and Peterbrooke ($25).
Pet-themed ornaments and pup cups will also be available for sale.
And, of course, the adoption van with dogs and puppies seeking new homes will be onsite.
SAFE (Saving Animals From Euthanasia) is a “no-kill” 501(c)3 nonprofit rescue organization headquartered in St. Augustine; it has been rescuing dogs since 2008. It maintains several locations, two in St. Augustine, one in Palatka and one in Hollister. In addition, it houses cats and kittens in a facility at its headquarters location, 1250 County Road A1A, St. Augustine.
SAFE Pet Rescue reports that the past year has been especially challenging for rescues with many people surrendering or abandoning their pets, which are left tied to shelter doors or in bins at shopping centers.
Adoptions are not keeping pace with the rate of surrenders. SAFE has even paid to board some more-seasoned dogs at local kennels to make room for those in dire need.
SAFE Pet Rescue is entirely run on donations and would not be able to continue its mission without sufficient support, which is why the Tails for the Holidays event is so important.
For further information, go to safe-pet-rescue-fl.com or call 904-460-0556.
