Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Pet owners will have the chance to get some festive holiday photos while raising funds for less fortunate animals on Nov. 16 at Critter Comforts.
Santa himself will be on scene from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. while Nicole Dombroskie Photography will be snapping photos of pet owners, their pets and the jolly old elf.
For $10 the pet owners will receive one digital photo as well as a loot bag from Critter Comforts. Proceeds from the event will go toward the purchase of pet food for the Napanee Food Bank.
“That’s not something that typically gets donated, people don’t think about it,” Dana Henry, the Salvation Army’s community and family services co-ordinator, said of pet food. “We do see a lot of people come in looking for pet food. We don’t always have it.”
While some may question the need for pet food at a food bank, or why someone who struggles to pay bills would have a pet, Henry says they can be a calming influence for someone in need.
“It’s the companionship, the support of having something there to look forward to seeing and spend time with,” said Henry. “I think it’s something that people underestimate.”
Henry says there are also plenty of mental health benefits to pet ownership that can often help those going through tough times the lift they need to work through it.
“It’s a small thing, but it’s someone to be there and offer support in other ways than listening or talking to them,” said Henry.
That’s why an event like Nov. 16’s Pet Photos with Santa are important says Henry, as they shine the light on the need for pet food at local food banks.
Critter Comforts is located at 113 Richmond Blvd. in Napanee.