Be an Angel this Christmas at Humane Society

By D.a. Wilkinson

SALEM — You can take your pet to have its photo taken with Santa Claus this Saturday for a good cause.

The Humane Society of Columbiana County will host a Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the R.O.C.C. and Rescue Center of Salem, 1825 S. Lincoln Ave.

Heather Jurina, the shelter’s manager, said people should bring the animals on a leash or in a carrier.

There’s no charge, but donations will be accepted.

R.O.C.C. stands for “Reduce Overpopulation of Cats and Canines,” according to Jenny Pike, the president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County.

The society purchased the facility in April 2008. It had been a veterinary clinic for many years and was ideal for the society.

Pike said that since then, the building has been renovated to make it more open, which is fine for the animals that can move freely through the rooms. The facility also has rabbits.

“It’s our first open house,” she added.

There will be tours of the facility.

The building is still undergoing renovations, Pike added.

The lobby will have “Angel Paw Christmas Tree” where people can pick a stocking and find out how to become a Christmas Angel to help a resident shelter pet.

The shelter is also showing Star, short for Starsky, a dog Pike said is an example of extreme abuse, neglect and cruelty and is the subject of a pending local humane investigation.

The dog was hidden in a bathroom, lacked fur over much of his body and had open, bleeding sores, according to the shelter. After a week in the care of the staff of Adamson Veterinary Services led by Dr. Vicky Brooks, Star is now in foster care and has begun to actively seek affection, wag his tail and enjoys his naps on the couch.

The society said it is also “Going Green” this holiday season by recycling in every way. The society will accept aluminum cans daily for recycling with all proceeds supporting the R.O.C.C. Fund that promotes and subsidizes spaying and neutering. Other monetary and material donations, such as paper towels, clay kitty litter, latex gloves, bleach and laundry supplies, will be accepted to support the care of other animals.

Many more of the animals can be viewed at the R.O.C.C. Center or at www.petfinder.com.

For more information about the event or other humane society programming and adoption hours, call (330) 332-2600, or write to HSCC, P.O. Box 101, Salem, Ohio 44460, or visit www.columbianahumane.org.

wilkinson@vindy.com