All Adoptable Dogs in Santa Barbara Shelter Will Have a Home for Christmas

UPDATE

Dog lovers throughout Santa Barbara County stepped up to foster Santa Barbara shelter dogs for Christmas.

The overwhelming outpouring of support led to every single shelter dog spending this holiday with a family and away from the kennels.

Although these foster homes are short-term, lasting only 2-3 days, the Santa Barbara Animal Shelter hopes that they’ll turn into adoptions.

“Any time a dog can get out of the shelter and into a home, it not only makes that dog more adoptable, but it gives us more information about the dog and what kind of permanent home will be the perfect fit for him or her,” said Jeanne Saadi, Community Outreach Director for the shelter.

While the “Santa’s Slumber Party” program was test marketed only with the Santa Barbara shelter this year, the program will be adopted at all county shelters in 2016 thanks to the overwhelming success.

Animal experts also offer holiday tips. They say chocolates and tinsel should be kept out of reach of pets.

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ORIGINAL POST

The holidays can get very lonely for many.

Over 200 dogs in the Santa Barbara County animal shelters are facing a lonely Christmas weekend.

The staff at the Goleta dog shelter is looking for people to sign up to foster dogs for two to three day periods. The goal is to provide these dogs with some time away from the kennels and a family to spend the holidays with.

The shelters launched a pilot program called “Santa’s Slumber Party,” asking people to sign up to foster dogs for two to three day periods.

Temporary foster homes will be given food and other items needed to take care of the furry pets.

If you would like to help foster a shelter dog for two to three days over Christmas, contact Jeanne Saadi at the Santa Barbara shelter at 805-681-4332 to be matched with a “Santa’s Slumber Party” dog.