Keep Animals in Mind at Holidays

By MADDY VITALE While out doing your last-minute Christmas shopping, perhaps you might consider adding someone who you don't even know to your list and donate to the Humane Society of Ocean City, where a monetary gift could do a lot to help those who have no voice. And as the no-kill shelter states on its website, hsocnj.org, the HSOC is also always appreciative of supplies donated to the organization. No matter how small it may seem, a donation of towels, dishes, or cans of cat or dog food could make a difference, said Phil Bellucci, operations manager. “We appreciate anything someone will do to help the animals,” Bellucci said Sunday. “We want you to feel good about donating to us.” High priority items include:

• Wet cat food
• Dry dog food
• Paper towels
• Cat and dog toys
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Blue Dawn dish soap
• Latex exam gloves
• Lysol deodorizing cleaner

Bellucci also said there are a lot of other ways to offer generous donations. People may do so in honor of or in memory of loved furry family members. They may also purchase a plaque, brick or park bench in memory of a beloved pet. People may also sponsor a homeless animal if adoption is not something that is possible. All of the donations may be done online. People may also call the HSOC administration offices at 609-398-9500, option 4, or email [email protected]. People may also offer assistance in other ways and may email the shelter at [email protected]. Bellucci said during the holidays, he warns against adopting a pet without the person knowing about it. The shelter prides itself on interviewing the prospective pet parents and seeing that it is a proper fit. Currently there are about 80 cats and 12 dogs at the shelter. The adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $60 for cats. There are many cats to choose from at the HSOC. All of the adopted pets from the HSOC receive a lifetime 10 percent discount off veterinary services at the shelter. “We have had a good success rate this year with adoptions,” Bellucci noted. In January, the focus will be on finding homes for senior and special needs cats, he added. “You don’t want to adopt an animal for somebody or buy one for Christmas if you haven’t already looked into it already,” he said. “Give the person the experience of picking out a dog or cat. Don’t just find the perfect picture on the website. Come in and meet several of the dogs and cats. They all have their own personalities.” HSOC hosts many fundraisers throughout the year, which help a lot with maintaining the shelter, Bellucci said. A big fundraiser coming up for the shelter is Grateful Pets V at Josie Kelly's Public House in Somers Point on April 11. HSOC also hosts smaller fundraisers and special events throughout the year to help the shelter's animals, Bellucci noted. One of the dogs that shelter staffers have fallen in love with is Falcor, a 7-month-old terrier mix who started out in a hoarding/backyard breeding situation, Bellucci pointed out. “He has been in the shelter since he was about 10 weeks old. He takes some time to warm up to strangers, but once he does, he is a very happy, fun loving dog. He loves to run around in the yard with his tennis ball,” Bellucci said. Bellucci continued, "Falcor will need a patient owner to help him adjust to home living and social situations. He does well with most dogs and would do fine in a home with older children.” The Humane Society, founded in 1964, is located on Shelter Road, off Tennessee Avenue.