Pet stockings return as humane society offering

SANDUSKY — When you are getting Christmas gifts for your family, you won't forget your dog or your cat, will you? The Erie County Humane Society is again selling Christmas stockings for dogs and cats, $20 gifts that make sure pets aren't left out of the holiday gift-giving tradition. The stockings, which have been offered for years, also are an important fund-raising tool for the humane society, said Melissa Gundlach, executive director of the group. Hundreds of stockings are sold every year. "It helps us continue to give the care to the animals in the shelter they deserve, until they get adopted," Gundlach said. "It is definitely one of our cornerstone fundraisers." The Erie County Humane Society receives no tax money for its mission and relies on adoption fees and fundraisers to keep the doors open at its shelter. On Monday, the shelter housed sixteen dogs and 80 cats who were waiting to be adopted into a local home. The pet stockings contain treats and toys and cost $20. The stockings may be ordered online at https://PetStocking.givesmart.com, or by calling the shelter at 419-626-6220. Stockings can be ordered through Dec. 22, although it's best to get the orders in early. Payment can be made by credit card at the website, or credit card, cash or check when the stockings are picked up. Pickup for the stockings is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., six days a week, Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 23. The humane society folks assembling the stockings will do their best to personalize the stockings, putting in favorite toys and paying attention to flavor preferences when choosing the treats, Gundlach said. Don't own a pet? You can buy a stocking for an animal at the shelter. They also make great gifts for any pet owner. "We get a lot of people who do this as a gift for their house sitter or their neighbor," Gundlach said. They also are given as gifts for "the grandpups," she said.