The Christmas Eve Shelter Sleepover 2015 fundraiser is underway! And this year my 13 year old, dog loving niece, Allie, has offered to help me raise money for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter by spending the night with me at the shelter, instead of with her little brother, parents and her best friend, her dog Buck. The two of us will spend Christmas Eve giving each of the dogs plenty of attention, treats and love…and then retire to kennels to spend the night snuggling with a couple dogs we hope will be in loving homes real soon.

This year, we are hoping to raise at least $10,000 for HHAS, of which a large portion of that money will be used to renovate an area in the basement at the shelter into a living room of sorts….a room where dogs and cats who have either been at the shelter a long time (dogs like Sadie, who was at HH for almost two years!), or are having especially hard times dealing with the stresses of shelter life, can go for some peace and “normalcy”so to speak. The idea is that volunteers will take these animals down into the living room where they can sit on a comfy leather couch or chair (easier to keep clean and sanitary), maybe watch a movie on the dvd player, scratch a belly, or just be there while the animals have some time away from their kennels and condos. The money from this years sleepover will purchase construction materials, comfortable furniture, TV/dvd player, movies, and even some games for volunteers to play. For example, a couple of old friends who love the game of cribbage can meet at HHAS to do so, and while they do, they have a dog or cat (or both if they get along) hanging out with them. An hour or so out of their kennels and condos could make shelter life so much more bearable for these animals. This room will open the door for more volunteers as well. Maybe walking a dog is difficult for someone, but taking a scared or sad dog to a peaceful and comfortable location in the shelter is another way someone can volunteer. Allie and I are hopeful this room will make a huge difference in the lives of dogs and cats who find their way to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. We hope you will help us reach this goal. Your donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated.

Allie and I thank you in advance for any support you can provide....and once again, I will post videos of our Christmas Eve at Harvest Hills Animal Shelter on the HHAS Facebook page.

Deb Cloutier