The holidays are upon us and there is much to do! This holiday season consider helping local animals by adopting a pet, donating to a local shelter or organization or by participating in an event.

Adopt a Pet:

Year round you can save lives by adopting a pet!  In fact you are often saving two lives as you allow for additional space in a shelter. There is no greater gift than giving of oneself to help others even a four legged one who will in turn bless your life richly!

It is important to note generally pets should not be given as gifts (unless sanctioned by parents etc.) as the recipient really should be the one to choose and be ready for the commitment and responsibility that comes with owning a pet. It’s a grand gesture but often ends in dismay. For those of you who have been considering adoption and the timing is finally right-GO FOR IT!!! Some shelters like the Nashville Humane Association, offer adoption gift certificates during December so that family members can help pay for a pet but the responsible member will choose their pet.

Donate Supplies or Money:

Remember supplies are often just as critical as financial contributions! All shelters and rescue groups have much needed items on their wish lists. The Nashville Humane Association has a wish tree in their lobby. All  items requested are from their wish list. Check out all the other local groups listed on the website to see what is on their wish list. They could also all benefit from year end giving financial donations large and small.

Sumner County Humane Society has a simple “Pennies for Pets” campaign asking people to donate their spare change as “every penny county.”

Buy a Holiday Gift:

Several organizations are selling 2013 calendars and other great gift ideas:

The 2013 New Leash on Life wall calendar, starring Vanderbilt and all the other winners from this year’s calendar contest, are now available for purchase.
Cost:$10 Calendar ($12 with shipping) Purchase on line at http://newleashonline.org/index.php/2012-calendar-contest

Humane Society of Sumner County T-shirts and 2013 Calendar
Cost: $10 (available at their open house Dec. 15)

Attend an Event:

There are a variety of events to choose from this December to help animals from low-key pictures with Santa to a full day music festival.

Saturday, December 1
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Sunday, December 2
Holiday Pet Photos with Santa
1-4 p.m.
Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Cost:$40 includes Sitting, One (1) 5×7 and Two (2) 4×6 Prints
Holiday cards are available for purchase

Sunday, December 2
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Saturday, Dec. 8th
Photos with the Grinch or Santa! (Benefiting New Leash on Life)
10a.m.-4p.m.
Amy Rich Photography
706 West Main Street
Lebanon, TN 37089
No appointment needed!
Cost: $20 for 2 4X6 prints and a digital file of your photo. Proceeds will Benefit New Leash on Life’s Angel Fund “dedicated to providing medical treatment to the animals in our care.” Pets and people are welcome to come pose with the Mean Green One and/or the Jolly Old Elf!

December 8, 2012
Subaru Share the Love Adoption Event
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Teddy’s Wagon from Nashville Humane Association will be at Nashville Subaru
1512 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37023

Saturday, December 8
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Sunday, December 9
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

December 15, 2012
Humane Society of Sumner County Christmas Open House and 38th Birthday  Celebration
11a.m.-3p.m.
16 Volunteer Drive
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Refreshments and Birthday cake will be served. Join the celebration. Also available for purchase new t-shirts and 2013 Calendars for #13.

December 15, 2012
Third Annual Miracle on Music Row with host Emmylou Harris
10a.m. to 3p.m.
O. Liv Body Bar in Edgehill Village
1200 Villa Place, Suite 404
Nashville, TN 37212
Cost: FREE, but there is a $20 suggested donation to benefit Bonaparte’s Retreat
It’s a full day of events including music by Sam Bush, Rodney Crowell, Mike Farris, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller and Kimmie Rhodes, a pet parade with Emmylou and Santa, pet costume contest silent auction, photos with Santa, food and holiday shopping. It’s also a big adoption event as local shelters/humane organizations will be on site like Teddy’s Wagon.

Saturday, December 15
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

November 16, 2012 – December 24
Gaylord Opryland® Resort’s sixth annual Hall of Trees
Hall of Trees is part of Gaylord Opryland’s popular A Country Christmas; located in the Holly Jolly Town Square
Noon – 7:00 p.m. – November 18 – 20 and 25 – 29 and December 2 – 6 and 9 – 13
Noon – 8:00 p.m. – November 16 – 17, 21 – 24 and 30 and December 1, 7 – 8 and 14 – 24
Ryman Exhibit Hall
Gaylord Opryland Resort
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
Cost: Admission is FREE. Single Ride Tickets – $3.00 or All Day/All Ride Pass – $12.00
The “Hall of Trees” is located inside the ‘Holly Jolly Town Square exhibit” which “is a step back in time to a nostalgic 1950s town square, complete with all the shops from main street, a holiday kids train, story time with Mrs. Claus at the library and more! Enjoy a visit to the Candy Store, or the all new Toy Store while visiting Holly Jolly Town Square,” (Gaylord Opryland).  All the trees and the gifts under them are donated by sponsors and auctioned off to raise money for local charities. Several local animal groups have trees this year including: Humane Society of Sumner County, Nashville Humane Association, Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, Robertson County Animal Control and Shelter, Elephant Sanctuary, and Weimaraner Rescue of the South. Bids may be placed online at or in person at the exhibit.The auction will close Monday, December 24, 2012, at 5 p.m. CST and the trees and gifts will be shipped to the winners for free by Friday, January 6.

Sunday, December 16
Freedom Farm’s Christmas with “Santa Paws” (photos with Santa)
11a.m.-4p.m.
PetSmart-Madison
2201 Gallatin Pike North
Madison, TN 37115
Cost: $9.95 for a 4×6 photo in holiday frame and Freedom Farm with receive $5 donation

Thank you in advance for helping local animals this holiday season!

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