‘Santa Paws’ Greets Visitors At Franklin Township Animal Shelter Open House

“Santa Paws” greeted canine visitors at the Franklin Township Animal Shelter Open House.

By PJ Parker.

Santa began his rounds early in Franklin on Nov. 24 at the Franklin Township Animal Shelter on DeMott Lane for its annual Santa Open House.

Santa Bob Pezzano, past-president of Second Chance for Animals – the organization that helps fund the shelter – greeted animal lovers of all ages, as well as a few canine visitors.

“This is a great opportunity for folks to get together and meet each other and maybe take home a great dog or cat,” Pezzano said. “They also get to meet Katie Nordhaus, Franklin Township Animal Shelter director, who also runs Angel Tails Rescue. She is the best animal control officer in the world – her energy and compassion …”

“I call her the animal whisperer, she handles the hardest animals with ease,” he said.

“This shelter is different than so many … we just don’t house animals, we love them,” Nordhaus said. “They get a lot of human contact. They are safe, fed, warm and get a lot of attention while waiting for their forever homes.”

Light refreshments were available, as well as hand-crafted animal-themed frames, earrings and toys, created by township resident Janet Mangin.

Mangin and Nora Breen have been creating these items for more than 11 years and they are displayed at township events, as well as shelter events, such as the upcoming Santa Paws, Dec. 1 and 8.

The shelter has ongoing needs for dog and cat food, toys, cleaning supplies, towels, sheets and blankets.

The next event to benefit the animal shelter and other township animals in need is “Photos with Santa Paws,” – pet and pet family photos with “Santa Paws” – 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8 at Franklin Middle School, Sampson G. Smith campus, 1649 Amwell Rd. Bring a donation of pet food and receive a free gift.

For more information, www.secondchanceforanimals.org, or email, santapaws@secondchanceforanimals.org, or (732) 748-7232.

Your Thoughts

comments