Santa Paws is coming to town! We are holding the event one week earlier this year to allow you enough time to use your Santa Paws photo for your holiday greeting card if you would like. Digital photos will be sent by email by December 9.
Note: Please see our email about the new canine respiratory illness below.
You can have your photo taken with your dog, with your family and your dog, with your friends and your dog, of just your dog, of just you, of just you and your family, or just you and your friends. OR, you could even have a photo taken of random strangers with your dog! (as long as your dog isn’t scared of random strangers of course.)
If your dog has stranger danger or strong dog reactivity and you would like to get your photo taken at Santa Paws, please reach out to us ahead of time so we can try to accommodate you. Email us at info@pooch.org. We aim for this to be as stress free and fear free as possible for the pups! It should be fun, not scary.
There will be free hot chocolate provided by our friends at Rogue, brothaccinos for the pups provided by Brutus Bone Broth, and a limited selection of free squeaky toys for our early attendees, along with some stockings and holiday paraphernalia!
Donate $25 through Give!Guide to secure your photo session before the event Saturday, or donate at the event. Give Guide Donation
Canine Respiratory Illness: Information, Precautions, & Requests
You have likely heard about the new canine respiratory illness that has popped up in Oregon, and if you are a dog parent, you might be a bit nervous. We understand and want to share our precautions, thoughts, and requests with you. We feel confident that we can host a fun and safe event for everyone, but it might look slightly different than in years past. Link to Oregon Humane Society’s FAQ page
What We Know
The canine respiratory illness appears to be caused by a virus, but that has not yet been determined. Like most illnesses, this one will likely hit the very, very young, the very, very old, and the immunocompromised the hardest. If your dog falls into these categories, we recommend skipping our event this year. While contagious respiratory diseases can have devastating effects, most dogs will likely recover fully. Veterinarians are advising skipping dog parks, doggy daycare, boarding, and grooming facilities right now. All of those activities provide prolonged exposure to other dogs. So, at our event this year, we recommend not making any new doggy friends and keeping your paws to yourself.
Precautions we are Taking
Our event takes place outside, so the dogs will not be breathing recycled air.
We will use disposable bowls for water stations where needed; no communal, reusable dog bowls.
We will wipe down shared dog surfaces regularly with a product called Rescue (which we use in our kennel)
We will have antiseptic wipes for anyone handling dogs to disinfect their hands.
We will not share dog toys. BONUS to you: each dog will get to go home with their own squeaky toy!
We will not share dog clothing. BONUS to you: If you like the sweater you put on your dog—take it home!
Our Recommendations & Requests
If your dog is sick or has been sick with a cough, sneeze, or general lethargy within the past 7 days, sit this one out. Let your pup rest and recover at home.
If your dog isn't yet fully vaccinated or has lapsed on their vaccines, skip the event this year.
Channel your inner introvert and skip the doggy socialization at the event (unless you hang out with the dogs regularly).
Wash your hands or use hand wipes after touching a dog other than your own.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at info@pooch.org and ask. We are here for you and hope to see you soon.