Homes tour is the cat's meow for animal shelter
FUNDRAISER: Santa Claws Christmas Home Tour and Tea benefits Orillia's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Posted By NATHAN TAYLOR, THE PACKET AND TIMES
Posted 2 months ago
As usual, Santa came early for the local animal shelter.
The annual Santa Claws Christmas Home Tour and Tea was held Saturday to benefit the Orillia branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
"It's nice to take a peek at others' homes and see decoration and style ideas," said local SPCA manager Carol Beard. "They were amazing. All of them were beautifully decorated. It was a mix of different styles."
Owners of six homes in and around Orillia opened their doors for the tour, which raised much-needed funds for the SPCA.
"It helps offset the cost of vet care," Beard said.
The agency this year has spent about $80,000 on vet care for animals.
As Beard and others were packing up Saturday to head to Casino Rama for the Devon tea, a man brought in a yellow lab that had been hit by a car. The adult male dog will need surgery on one of his legs, an operation that could cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500, Beard said.
"That's just one animal in one day," she said.
This year's tour and tea brought in more than $18,000 for the SPCA. That's a typical amount for an event that sells out nearly every year.
Beard thanked all the volunteers, sponsors, participating homeowners, media and the florists who donated their time and skills to decorating some the homes.
