The second annual Santa Paws Village will take place at the City of Lewisville Animal Shelter, in contrast from last year’s connection to the city’s Holiday at the Hall event. The event kicks off today with city-approved shelter volunteers and staff members decorating the shelter to be a doggy and kitty wonderland.

“This year, we’re really just wanting to make the animal shelter an attraction,” animal services field supervisor Crystal Palmer said. “If people are looking for something to do this Christmas, why not stop by the shelter? We want to make sure that we’re up there high on people’s lists and potentially get that adoption.”

This year, the shelter’s main goal for the event is what any animal shelter would want for Christmas.

“I would think that any event, [adoptions are] really what the biggest thing is,” Palmer said. “When you’re getting those adoptions, everybody’s happy and even the pets are happy, they’re excited, and that’s really my favorite part.”

Animal Services Supervisor Ethel Strother, who recently began working there, agreed that adoptions are the number one priority.

“Nobody wants a dog in a shelter on Christmas,” Strother said.

Palmer said that this year, the angel tree, including donations for cats and dogs’ expenses for neutering and spaying, will be taking place, and the decorations this year will trump last year’s with the help of the shelter volunteers.

“If we can get those adoptions and get every dog a home or every cat a home or at least a good amount here, I would feel we were very successful,” Palmer said. “[December is] slower, which is why it’s important to do an event like this. It’s important to have adoption events because it really depends on the time of the year.”

One special cat that is looking for a home is Cass, a friendly, energetic little feline that has been a shelter resident for months now.

“We’ve had her since June,” Palmer said. “She’s a run of the mill tabby, and she doesn’t really draw people’s eye and it makes it really tough, especially when people are looking to adopt. A lot of people really want to adopt the puppy or the kitten. And she’s not a kitten, she’s an adult cat, and she’s got a great personality about her, it’s just that right person hasn’t come in for her yet.”

In order to raise Cass’ chances of adoption, the staff made a big decision.

“Since we’ve had her since June, we decided as a staff to get her spayed, to see if that would help,” Palmer said. “That way all you only have to be responsible for the adoption fee, so we’re even alleviating some of the costs to the adopter, saying Cass is a worthwhile pet for someone.”

Adoption requires a $20 adoption fee, an application that must be returned in 24 hours, along with the cost of spaying/neutering and vaccinations at the vet clinic in the area of the adopter’s choice. If the animal needs vaccinations or spaying/neutering, the animal shelter will deliver the animal for the appointment and the new owner will pick it up. However, in Cass’ situation, all that’s needed to do is to pay the $20, fill out the application, and she is ready to be taken home.

Palmer said that the animal shelter has become a more friendly place to the public sinc it’s transition from the old building.

“I would say this place is a lot more inviting,” Palmer said. “The other shelter looked more like a pound. Animal welfare has come a long way.”

Another step forward was the volunteer program initiated about nine months ago at the shelter.

“If anybody over 16 who is interested in volunteering, they can come in and fill out an application,” Palmer said. “At that point, if under 18, that’s all there is to it. But it must be notarized and signed with a parent. If over 18, it requires a background check that the city requires, and from there as long as everything’s good with the background check, they can attend orientation, and once the orientation is complete, then they can come in here and volunteer.”

Tasks for volunteers can include photographing animals, grooming, socializing, helping at the counter, and shelter maintenance.