PEI

P.E.I. Humane Society campaign promotes Christmas pet adoption

The P.E.I. Humane Society's 12 Strays of Christmas campaign is aiming to get as many animals as possible out of the shelter and into homes before Christmas.

The 12 Strays of Christmas: How getting a pet for Christmas can be a good idea

The P.E.I. Humane Society hopes Sierra the cat will find a home during the 12 Strays of Christmas campaign. (Laura Meader/CBC)

The P.E.I. Humane Society's 12 Strays of Christmas campaign is aiming to get as many animals as possible out of the shelter and into homes before Christmas.

The campaign features profiles of animals up for adoption at the local shelter, like Santana the dog, already on his way to a new home, or Sierra the cat, still waiting for the right family.

Santana the dog has already found a new home. (Laura Meader/CBC)

"It started, we think, about 20 years ago," said Jennifer Harkness, the society's development coordinator.

"It's been very successful. It's something that people look forward to every year."

The 12 Strays of Christmas campaign is about getting animals into families, says P.E.I. Humane Society executive director Marla Somersall. (Laura Meader/CBC)

The animals featured often need a bit of extra promotion.

"It's about getting animals home at Christmas for us. It's about adoptions and getting them into families," said society executive director Marla Somersall.

Some animal groups say families shouldn't get a pet during the holidays, but the P.E.I. Humane Society says as long as it's not a surprise gift, it's usually OK.