The Good Shepherd Humane Society staff are already celebrating many things to be thankful for as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
Nearly 20 pets found forever homes in the last half of October thanks to the shelter’s adoption events and keeping some very cute faces in the public eye on social media. It doesn’t hurt that the shelter’s website and Facebook page are full of great pictures that make you say, “Hmm, I can imagine this cutie staring into my eyes with all that love.”
This month, a Petco Love “Jump into Joy” Pet Adoption Event will take place at the shelter with another adorable group of canines and felines this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7 from noon to 5 p.m. each day. Come meet Max, Hamster, Sealy, Winston, and more of their adoptable friends.
Speaking of cute and adorable, the 2027 Good Shepherd Pet Calendar winners have been announced! The list was finalized this past weekend after 42 submissions were voted on, judged and selected. Dollar bills counted as votes from the public, raising $6,049 in donations.
And the top dog, with $1,000 in votes, was Duke, who was adopted from GSHS by owners Laurie and Dean Huckabee. As the winner, Duke will grace the calendar cover in addition to his September page. The pets with the next 11 highest votes each get their own month; and a collage of other entrants will be on the back cover.
“When we planned this contest, we hoped people would share their pets with us,” GSHS director of operations Lee Allen said. “But we didn’t expect so many of them to be former Good Shepherd animals.
“Reading those stories of dogs and cats who came through our doors and are now living their best lives was a reminder of why we do this work. Every dollar raised helps us keep caring for the animals that are still waiting for their turn.”
The calendars will be for sale at the shelter and the two thrift stores from mid-to-late November for a donation of $25. All the entrants and their ranking can be viewed at the shelter website.
Paws of Hope for Pongo, another opportunity to support Good Shepherd’s programs, is currently running through Dec. 2, the day Pongo was meant to participate in a wedding party.
The beloved pet of GSHS board member, Julia Borkowski, Pongo was a special dog who touched the hearts of everyone who met him. He brought love, joy, and comfort to many, and was meant to be the ring bearer at Julia’s marriage to Trenton Meredith in December; but sadly, 15-year-old Pongo passed away on Oct. 13.
In honor of Pongo and the lives he touched, gifts of support may be made online to keep Pongo’s legacy alive by providing care, compassion, and second chances for animals in need.
Some of that care goes to food support programs, through which GSHS distributes more than 100,000 pounds of pet food every year to local families and fellow nonprofits. Helping keep bowls full is helping keep pets where they belong: safe, loved, and at home with their families.
Meanwhile, there are some adorable pets ready to meet their loving families Nov. 6 and 7 at the Jump into Joy adoption event at the GSHS Adoption Center, 6486 Hwy. 62W in Eureka Springs from noon until 5 p.m. The Center is open 7 days a week from 12 – 5 p.m. Contacts: (479) 253-9188, web: goodshepherd-hs.org, Facebook: Good Shepherd Humane Society.