Pets pal around with Santa at humane society photo op
Goshen. Many heart-warming stories abound at the Goshen Humane Society, and this is especially true during the holidays. Among them is the story of Lily, who spent six years at the shelter before finding true love.
Goshen /
| 18 Dec 2019 | 04:42
Minnie, a chihuahua mix, contently snuggles in the arms of Jerrica Figuerola, a worker at the Goshen shelter. (
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Eight-year-old Bella Wicks from Middletown says of Oreo, her eight-month-old kitten, "He’s purr-fect!" (
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Susan and Rick Bossley pose with Santa on “Pet Photos with Santa Day" at the Goshen Humane Society. With them is shelter volunteer Corinne Wood, owner of two rescue pit bulls. (
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Spike, a 14-year-old chihuahua owned by Susana O’Brien of Bloomingburg, is all dressed up for the holiday. What better way to meet Santa? (
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Santa Claus lovingly looks at his sidekick, Mabel. Santa, owner of the rescue beagle and blue tick mix, has already spent two happy years with her. (
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The holiday season is a time of caring, and no one gives more care and love to our pets than Santa Claus.
The Goshen Humane Society opened its doors wide on Sunday, Dec. 8, to welcome the jolly old elf inside to pose with pets for endearing photos.
In came Mabel, Minnie, Spike, Oreo, Lucy, and many more. Santa, in his easy-going way, welcomed all the pets and put them at ease in his arms or at his feet.
Goshen Humane Society worker Laura Wicks was pleased to show those who came that day the latest updates at the shelter.
“Through the benefit of a grant, we have a new intake area where animals are brought in for evaluation and getting them up-to-date with vaccinations,” Wicks said. “And the grant allowed us to redo the front office, giving it a fresh clean look.”
On the to-do list, she said, is updating the cage and free-roaming room for cats.
“We’re not really finished yet," she said. "We’re still working on improvements."
Wicks said she’s in early on a daily basis to care for the animals and clean cages.
Then, at 11 a.m. every day of the week, the shelter opens to the public and stays open until 3 p.m., giving visitors plenty of time to come and see the handsome dogs and adorable cats that are looking for forever homes.
Staff and volunteers return in the evening to exercise the dogs, give medications, and feed them.
Many heart-warming stories abound at the Goshen Humane Society, and this is especially true at holiday time, when so many people give thanks. Volunteer worker Corinne Wood adopted two pit bulls, Theo and Lily, from the shelter. It’s a real happy-ending story. Wood calls them “the love of my life.”
“Lily was at the shelter for six years,” said Rick Bossley, president of the Goshen Humane Society. "I never thought she’d be adopted. Now everyone is happy!”
“I like to think she waited for me,” said Wood, smiling.
The Goshen Humane Society is located at 44 Police Drive (behind the Town of Goshen Police Department). Call them at 845-294-3984 or email goshenhumanesociety.org.