By: Sarah A. Neikam, CAWA
Christmas may be over, but the holiday season continues to bring warmth and cheer at the SPCA Albrecht Center. Already we’ve achieved over 1,000 adoptions, an inspiring milestone that showcases the incredible spirit of animal lovers in our community, and the year isn’t over yet!
The festive season has been filled with an abundance of joy in our animal shelter, heightened by the adoptions of several long-time-resident pets, and the many, many gifts generously given by our supporters to the pets themselves. The sight of our shelter pets opening their gifts on Christmas Eve was a heartwarming reminder of the kindness that surrounds us.
Our recent “Empty the Shelters, Holiday Hope” adoption drive, in partnership with the Bissell Pet Foundation, was also successful. Thanks to Bissell’s support in waiving adoption fees, we were able to find loving homes for 43 cats and kittens, and 23 dogs and puppies. Each adoption is a joyous victory for our team and a life-changing moment for both the pets and their new families.
As we move beyond Christmas, the spirit of giving and compassion remains strong. Our “Home for the Holidays” foster program continues through year’s end, inviting community members to provide a temporary, loving home for our shelter animals during this special time of year. Fostering not only enriches the lives of these animals but also offers a deeply rewarding experience for the foster families. We supply all necessary items, including food, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable fostering period. To learn more and see the pets available for fostering, visit LetLoveLive.org/holidayhome.
We also encourage end-of-year contributions to our “Forever Home for the Holidays” fundraising appeal at LetLoveLive.org/holidaygift. Your generosity enables us to continue our mission through this year and into the next, and make a lasting impact on the lives of countless animals.
This incredible year of over 1,000 adoptions wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our community. Whether through adopting, fostering, donating, or simply spreading the word, every act of kindness contributes significantly to our mission.
As we prepare to welcome the New Year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have been a part of our journey. Your dedication to homeless, neglected and abused pets is the driving force behind our success and inspires us to keep striving for the well-being of every animal in our care.
For anyone interested in making the holiday season brighter for our shelter pets, whether through adoption, fostering, or supporting our fundraising efforts, please visit LetLoveLive.org. Your involvement makes a world of difference.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, from all of us at the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare!
Sarah Neikam is the Marketing Director for the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken, SC. She has been with the organization since 2012, holding various roles including Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Operations & HR. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator as of 2022, Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. She resides in Aiken with her husband, Tom, and their six cats.
