Tips on Sharing the Christmas Holiday with Your Cat

Many people think that it is a good idea to give pets as holiday gifts, but about half of those animals just get returned because the gift receiver didn't want the pet. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says that you should never give a pet as a gift.  Instead, they ask that you check with the ASPCA Adoption Center. You can use the zip code search to look at available cats in your area.  They are offering a unique opportunity for pet lovers.

Know someone who wants to add a feline to the family? Now you can give the gift of companionship with their Gift-a-Pet Certificate. At this time, they are only offer Gift-a-Pet certificates for cat and kitten adoptions.

The ASPCA says, securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should they imbibe.

Keep these items away from your cat :
Glass ornaments, Christmas trees , Poinsettias, Christmas cheer, spun glass or angel hair, foil candy wrappers, batteries lit candles,`electric lights, tinsel, electrical cords, metal hangers, spray snow, artificial snow, angel hair, Christmas ribbon, Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas tree water that may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.

Tips:

1. Do not leave food crumbs on plates and make sure all food items are sealed in containers with lids.

2. Also place candles where cats cannot knock them over. Never leave a cat unattended in a room with lit candles. He will gravitate to them like moths to a porch light.

3. Keep stoves and countertops off-limits to cats. Electric stovetops can be very hot without changing color, and present a serious burn hazard to curious noses and tender feet.

4. You may be tempted to put your cats in the garage to keep them out of the way when your Christmas visitors arrive. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Anti-freeze is both attractive and deadly to cats. Anti-freeze and caustic chemicals stored in the garage spell certain disaster if a cat comes in contact with them. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to keep a normally indoor-outdoor cat in the garage over the winter, please keep them in the house. If you need to keep your indoor-only cats away from the festivities, consider a "Safe Room".

5. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your cat.

6. Once the meal is over, place any uneaten leftovers in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your cat.

7. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your cat may end up getting scratched

8. Sage (Salvia species) is considered to be edible in small amounts. However, it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and even central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities.

9. Cats are sensitive to the effects of essential oils, so for safety’s sake, I suggest you break the bad news to kitty and keep him away from the sage you are cooking with this Christmas.

10. As guests enter and exit your home for Christmas dinner this provides an opportunity for your cat to escape.

11. If you think someone gave your cat too much table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your cat got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

12. Cats in particular love to climb on Christmas trees and grab the low hanging branches. Make sure the tree is secure in the stand and tie the tree to a permanent fixture, like a railing. A toppled tree can crush a kitten or puppy and the broken ornaments pose problems of their own.

13. Some cats are attracted to the motion or sound of water that comes out of a faucet. So be careful about leaving the water running when preparing your Christmas dinner.

14. Holidays are a confusing mix of noise, people, strange sights, sounds and smells. Make sure your cat or dog has his own space, either a crate or a separate room, to retreat to when it all becomes overwhelming. You and your pet will be happier for it.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Christmas, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.


                                     Merry Christmas from The Pet Tree House! FOLLOW US!

Tips on Sharing the Christmas Holiday with Your Dog

The ASPCA says to securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water, which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset, from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
                                                                                       

Keep these items away from your pet:
Glass ornaments, Christmas trees, poinsettias, Christmas cheer, spun glass or angel hair, foil candy wrappers, batteries, lit candles, electric lights, tinsel, electrical cords, metal hangers, spray snow, angel hair, Christmas ribbon, Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas tree water.

Tips:

1. Try to keep all foods pushed toward the back of the counter, prepared and uncooked.

2. Feed your dog in their dog bowl.

3. Caution your guest on arrival about giving table foods to your dog.

4. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets. A child who does not know how to properly interact with your dog may end up the victim of a dog bite incident.

5. If you think someone gave your dog table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your dog got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Christmas, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

                                                     Merry Christmas from The Pet Tree House! FOLLOW US!

Twin Special Needs Girls Adopt Disabled Pit Bull For Christmas

It’s not easy being different. Tianna and Gianna know that better than most people. The twin 10-year-old girls are legally blind, and Gianna suffers from autism. It’s hard for them to find someone who truly understands what they go through. Maybe that’s why this year they only had one Christmas wish. They wanted a disabled dog who would love them and understand them.

To read more on this story, click here: Twin Special Needs Girls Adopt Disabled Pit Bull For Christmas




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Popular Christmas Decoration Has Babies And Pets Being Rushed To The Hospital

True story: I was working the other day and decided to light one of my beloved Bath and Body Works holiday candles that I’d just scored during their huge seasonal sale. For the first few minutes, I reveled in the awesome, spiced-apple scent while working on the day’s assignments.

But after a few minutes, I started coughing uncontrollably and I felt so lightheaded. As I tried to think of what could be causing it, my eyes wandered to the candle and it hit me — this thing was making me sick. I put the candle out and after about 20 minutes, I felt totally fine. That’s when I knew I had to start researching side-effects of using scented candles. If you’re anything like my candle-loving self, you’re about to be so disappointed in what I found.

While your favorite candles may smell good to you, their chemical makeup could be making you sick. According to MCS-America, most fragranced products contain anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 different chemicals. Even more alarming is the idea that despite the U.S. National Academy of Science have declared that fragrances should undergo neurotoxicity testing, most of the products on the market have not undergone testing to make sure that they’re safe for humans.

To read more on this story, click here: Popular Christmas Decoration Has Babies And Pets Being Rushed To The Hospital

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Humane Rescue Alliance: Is Your Dog Out of Control When Guest Arrive? Enroll Them in Our Specialized, Four-Week Mini-Series on Manners

Washington, DC - Is your dog out of control when guest arrive for the holidays? Register your pup for HRA's specialized, four-week mini-series focused on teaching your dog appropriate manners for when guests come to town. Dogs will learn to go-to-place when people knock at the door, leave it with decorations, food, and presents, and how to relax on their mat during human meals instead of begging for food. They'll also learn how to offer more polite greetings to friends and family. 


To Learn about this mini-series, click here: Four-Week Mini-Series 

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Not Pet Related - I Want to Share: Amazon to Customers: Throw Your Hoverboard Away

While this post is not related to pets/animals, I wanted to share in case some of my readers missed this message from Amazon.

Companies rarely advocate for the destruction of their products, but given that some of Amazon’s hoverboards are spontaneously combusting (and destroying themselves), all bets are off. Now, after already pulling the product from both United States and United Kingdom sites earlier this week, Amazon is telling customers to throw away unsafe hoverboards.

“We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority,” Amazon wrote in an email to customers. Those with boards featuring “non-compliant U.K. plugs” should proceed immediately to a certified recycling center, and will be refunded for their purchase within three days.

Despite the initial popularity of the gadgets (especially with the upcoming holiday season), a closer inspection of the futuristic devices made it clear that there were some very serious safety hazards associated with their use. Earlier this month, the U.K.’s Trading Standards seized 15,000 unsafe hoverboards after the London Fire Brigade reported three house fires within 10 days, all traced back to those trendy wheels.

To read more on this story, click here: Amazon to Customers: Throw Your Hoverboard Away

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Heartwarming Story - Missing Shetland Sheepdog Found After 6 Years: Reunited with Family in Time for the Holidays

A beloved dog missing for six years has been found and reunited with his family in Las Vegas just in time for the holidays.

David Marks told ABC News today that he and his wife, Alison Marks, were "overjoyed" and "grateful" to be spending Christmas again with Willie, their Shetland sheepdog, now 11 years old.

The couple hadn't seen the Sheltie since he went missing in April of 2009 while they were all vacationing in the Pioche Hills, a mountain range in southeastern Nevada.

"While we were up in the mountains, Willie and his brother picked up on a rabbit or something and took off," David Marks explained. "Willie's brother Waylon came back, but he did not. We searched all weekend in a snowstorm in the mountains of Nevada, but we never saw any evidence that Willie was anywhere around."

David Marks said he and his wife put up fliers and asked around the area, but they "never heard back" from anyone -- until now.

"About two weeks ago, we got a call from an animal shelter in Elko, Nevada, and they said they picked up a stray, checked his microchip and found us," he said. "I couldn't believe it. It was an absolute surprise, and the perfect Christmas gift."

David Marks added that Willie "recognized us right away" and that he "immediately came right over, wagging his tail."

After a local TV station ran their story, the Marks heard from a family in Elko that apparently had been caring for him for the past six years before he recently ran off again.

"The individual caring for him said that Willie somehow got to Eureka, Nevada, which is over 300 miles from Las Vegas," David Marks said.

"The sheriff over there picked him after they found him in bad shape. He took care of Willie and nursed him back to health, so he gave him to a lady in Jackpot, Nevada, and then she moved to Elko, and he recently ran off."

David Marks joked that he's sure Willie told his Sheltie brother the whole story of his adventures the past six years and that he and his wife are curious to learn what happened.

The family said that since Willie has been home, everything feels "complete again."

"We've been introducing him again to everybody,” David Marks said, “but it's just like he never left.”

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Christmas Can Be a Hazardous Time for Our Pets

Now that the festive holiday season is upon us and we are all rushing around with a million things to do, it is important not to forget that Christmas can be a hazardous time for our pets.

The top 5 reasons pets visit a Veterinarian on Christmas Day:

•  Gastritis / Enteritis
•  Foreign body ingestion
•  Soft tissue trauma
•  Lacerations or bite wounds
•  Chocolate poisoning

It is very tempting to give the dog the remains of the Christmas turkey, just remember bones can and do kill. When bones are cooked they become very brittle and when the dog chews them they splinter into needle sharp pieces. These pieces can become stuck in the stomach or intestines and can perforate the bowel, which is life threatening. Uncooked bones can have the same effect as cooked bones so it is best to avoid bones all together. If the bowel becomes perforated the insides of the abdomen become infected. A surgical procedure is the only way to remove bones from the intestinal tract. Christmas meals often produce a lot of fatty left over's and the family pet often ends up being given these. Excessively fatty foods can cause pancreatitis which is inflammation of the pancreas. It is very painful and requires intensive care for the animals' intestinal system to get back to normal.

Take care with floral arrangements and plants especially if you have a cat; all Lilies are toxic to cats and the pollen can easily get on their coats if they brush past an arrangement, they can then ingest the toxins when they groom themselves. Poinsettias are also a common addition to the home at Christmas; they are also toxic to your pet if ingested.

You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon "collar" but beware that this could become a choking hazard. Also, it's best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won't be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.

Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights may be another source of danger to your curious pets. Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution. If you have candles on display, place them in a hard to reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and skin.

Many households hang chocolate treats on the tree or wrap presents containing chocolate and place them underneath the tree. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats it contains a substance called theobromine. Dark chocolate is the worst as it contains a greater concentration of theobromine. Dogs especially are attracted to the smell of chocolate treats. It is important not to leave any chocolate treats in reach of pets, remember to shut them out of the room where the tree is when you go to bed or go out.

Christmas trees are more dangerous to pets than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten; they are also toxic to pets. Pine trees can also be a cause of skin irritation in pets with skin allergies. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand for the tree has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your pet isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Cats love to play with string and tinsel is even more attractive as it sparkles. Tinsel can get stuck in the digestive tract if ingested causing serious problems for your pet and often requiring an operation to remove it.

Some pets love the attention of visitors; others find strangers in their house stressful. Christmas is often a busy time with visitors coming & going. Be mindful of your pets feelings & give the option of somewhere quiet to escape to should the need arise; this is particularly important if your friends & relatives have young children.

Christmas is a time of year to celebrate and be with family, the last thing anyone would want is to be stuck in a Veterinary Clinic on Christmas day. Taking precautions with pets during these festive times can help ensure that you and your family will enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season! If you have any other questions please feel free to give the Veterinary Clinic a call, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

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Adorable Animals Singing Jingle Bells! Send to Your Friends For A Holiday Greeting

Talking animal videos never fail to make me laugh. Watch and listen to an animal choir as they “sing” Jingle Bells. Adorable and funny. The perfect combo!

Copy the link below to send to family and friends!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRzhd3eUyO8

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

The Pet Tree House

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Reindeer Climbs Stairs to Greet Care Home Residents

Cupid the stair-climbing reindeer has visited a care home in Wiltshire - both upstairs and down - to greet its residents and spread Christmas cheer.

Accompanied by mate Comet, the pair were taken around the Brookside Care Home in Melksham.

To see the video, click here: Reindeer Climbs Stairs to Greet Care Home Residents

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Washington, DC - Looking to Add a Furry Member to Your Family? Adoption Fee Only $20.16 at the Washington Humane Society – December 19 - 24

Have you been thinking about adding a furry member to your family?

Open your heart and home to a furry friend this holiday season! From December 19-24, it's just $20.16 to adopt!!

Find our adoptable animals at www.washhumane.org/adopt ‪#‎AdoptDC ‪#‎AdoptWHS

*Standard adoption procedures apply

From the Author:

I know first hand that the Washington Humane Society has some of the most adorable animals available for adoption.

I took advantage of one of their events back in September 2013. I adopted my adorable Jonas, a Shih Tzu/Yorkie mix, at 9-months-old for only $21. Best $21… I have ever spent!

Get a head start and take a look at some on the animals available now….Available Animals 

If you are not looking for a cat or dog, they also have other small animals available for adoption.

Please share with family, friends and co-workers!

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Meet Lady, a Beautiful 8-Year-Old Senior Dog Looking for Her Forever Home: Can You Give Her a Home for the Holidays? – Washington Humane Society

Washington, DC - Meet Lady, a beautiful 8-year-old senior dog looking for her forever home for the Holidays.

Through no fault of her own, Lady has been in and out of our adoption centers since August. Can we get her a home for the holidays?

Your next question is going to be why? :

She is not a fan of other dogs, but that's not why she has been returned. She was returned because she looks like a pit bull and she was banned from her adopter's apartment complex. She is currently in foster care.

Does she get along with cats?:

Lady hasn't met a cat while she has been in our care, but we always suggest bringing your resident animal in for a meet-and-greet before adopting.

From Lady:

Hey there, I'm Lady. Just like my name suggests, I am an older gal who is over the puppy stage of life. I was brought to WHS when my family could no longer care for me and although I am really bummed about it, I am doing my best to stay strong and hold out for my new forever family. The people here tell me I am really smart and I am learning new tricks and commands every day! The one thing I really miss about having a home of my own is cuddling with my humans, I reaaaalllly love leaning into people - it just makes me feel so loved! In fact, I love people so much that I would prefer to be your one-and-only pet - more attention for meeee! So if you're looking for your new best friend and someone to cuddle up and watch TV with, come meet me at the New York Ave shelter.

Please share Lady to help her get a loving home for the Holidays.  If you can not adopt Lady, the Washington Humane Society has other dogs, cats and small animals available for adoption.

If you are interested in adopting Lady:

She is at our New York Avenue location at 1201 New York Avenue NE. To meet her, either drop by the adoption center or call 202-576-6664. Here is a link to her online profile: LADY

Take a look at her video and adorable pictures below:

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Coolridge Animal Hospital: Bring Your Fur Baby to Take a Picture with Santa – December 12

Guess who's coming back to town for a visit? That's right! Santa

When: Saturday December 12th

Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Where: Coolridge Animal Hospital

6801 Old Branch Ave

Camp Springs, Maryland

Cost: $7.00 donation which will go to our " It takes a village" fund, to help those pets in need of medical services.

You will receive a framed photo of Santa and your fur baby, and Santa is bringing goodies for all!

Santa has asked that all the fur babies write to Santa via Facebook or by email coolridgeah@gmail.com, and let Santa know if you have been naughty or nice this year, and what your little heart desires from Santa.

The best Dear Santa Letter will receive a special gift from Santa!

Website: Coolridge Animal Hospital


Coolridge Animal Hospital
6801 Old Branch Ave
Camp Springs, Maryland
(301) 449-1610

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Please Meet Some of the Wonderful Shelter Ferrets That Need Your Help to Have a Happy Holiday Season - The Ferret Giving Tree 2014

Click on their picture: http://www.ferretgivingtree.com/index.php
to get to know them a little more personally.  Each one has his or her own story to tell. These kids are living in the safety of a shelter, where many will stay until their time for the bridge comes. Some are elderly and not considered adoptable while some, due to behaviour problems may not get a home until someone can take the time to teach them how to behave correctly.

Shelter Moms and Dads love these kids, but can only give so much since they have so many they must care for.

Please choose a Ferret this year that you can play Santa to. Even the smallest of gifts can
mean the world to these special little ones.  Give them an extra joyous holiday this year.

To read more about this story, and see their adorable pictures, click HERE!

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You Can Help Animals at Christmas with Just a Facebook "Like" - Coolridge Animal Hospital Will Donate a 1-Pound Bag of Dog/Cat Food to an Animal Rescue for Each "Like" - Only 51 More Needed!

Help us reach 500 Facebook likes by end of 2014, we need 51. for every new like we receive from now till 12/31/2014, we are donating 1lb of dog/cat food for every like we receive to a Animal Allies Rescue Organization.

Help us reach our goal and we will help pets in need .... Share our page to help us reach this goal

Think about it…that's 51 pounds of dog food!

Ready to "like" and help pets in need? Click HERE! 

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Pet Photos with Santa - All Proceeds to Benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society - December 6

Come by 1300 East Gude Drive, Rockville on Saturday, December 6 from noon to 4:00 p.m. for Pet Pictures with Santa.

Well-behaved pets & their family members are welcome to climb into Santa's lap and tell him that they have been good this year. And our photographers will capture the moment. $15 per photo, no appointment needed.

Dogs must be leashed and cats and other animals must be in carriers until portrait time. All of the proceeds benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society's homeless animals.

All of the proceeds benefit the Montgomery County Humane Society

About: The Montgomery County Humane Society:
The Montgomery County Humane Society is the largest animal welfare organization in Montgomery County, providing rescue and care to homeless animals. We offer a full range of services including foster care, adoption counseling, behavior seminars, bereavement support, humane learning, community outreach, volunteer training and much more.

Our Mission:
Our mission also includes public education on topics including the importance of spaying and neutering, animal behavior and training, responsible pet ownership, emergency preparedness, and protecting wildlife. We work with all ages -- from preschoolers to senior citizens -- to help local residents create a fulfilling, lifelong bond with their pets, develop respect for all animals, and appreciate how they are connected to the larger environment.

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Washington Humane Society - We Are Hosting Our Annual Holiday Photos with Your Pet Events Throughout the Month of December at Various Locations Across the DC Metro Area

Washington, DC, - The Washington Humane Society will host our annual Holiday Photos with your Pet events throughout the month of December at various locations across the DC metro area. Locations, dates and times are listed below:






Holiday Photos with your Pet
Saturday December 6, 2014
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Saks Fifth Avenue
5555 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Sunday December 7, 2014
10:00am - 1:00pm
Big Bad Woof
117 Carroll St. NW Washington, DC 20012

Saturday December 13, 2014
11:00am - 3:00pm
Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Center
5104 MacArthur Blvd. NW. Washington, DC 20016

Sunday December 14, 2014
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Metro Mutts: Pet Supplies and Services
508 H St. NE Washington, DC 20002

Saturday December 20, 2014
10:00am - 2:00pm
Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave. NW 20009

Sunday Decebmer 21, 2014
11:00am - 3:00pm
Hotel Monaco
700 F St. NW, Washington DC 20004

About: The Washington Humane Society:
The Washington Humane Society is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States and has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. WHS provides protection and care to over 43,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

Our Mission:
While the heart of our mission remains rescuing animals in trouble and finding them good, permanent homes, we also focus on preventing suffering through humane education targeted toward at-risk youth, low-cost spay/neuter services offered at our spay/neuter center and by diligently enforcing the District's anti-cruelty laws.

Awards:
WHS was awarded a 2013 Top-Rated Nonprofit Award from the Great Nonprofits review website.

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The MD SPCA Urbanites Are Hosting Hope for the Holidays Donation Drive & Pet Photos with Santa - December 6

The MD SPCA Urbanites are hosting a Hope for the Holidays pet toy and supply drive at the MD SPCA on Saturday, December 6th, and you are invited! Get in the holiday spirit while helping needy pets.

Gather your friends and co-workers and start collecting toys, towels, pet food (for our Kibble Connection program) and treats for the homeless dogs and cats at the MD SPCA. Bring your donations and have your pet's photo taken with Santa. For more information, click HERE!

Pet photos with Santa are BACK!

Saturday, December 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Maryland SPCA (3300 Falls Rd, Baltimore, Maryland 21211)

Bring an in-kind and/or $5 donation to have your pet's photo taken with Santa.

Donations benefit the pets of the MD SPCA and community project, Kibble Connection.

To view our holiday wish-list for the animals of the MD SPCA, click HERE! 

Photos courtesy of Still Treasured Photography will be posted on our Facebook page after the event.

Coffee and sweets courtesy of Common Ground Café and Coffee.

About: The Maryland SPCA
Helping animals since 1869! We are an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of pets and people in the community. www.mdspca.org

Our Mission:
The Maryland SPCA is a private, nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to helping animals and people. Our mission is to improve the lives of pets and people.

We operate primarily in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan area. We are not affiliated with any national animal organization, and we do not receive any operating funding from the government or United Way. All SPCAs operate separately and independently and are not affiliated with The Maryland SPCA.

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7 Reasons Why Pets Make Terrible Holiday Gifts

As we approach the holiday season, many of us will begin to brainstorm gift ideas for our friends and loved ones. Some of us are drawn to unique home goods; others are inclined to purchase electronics, books, or clothes for the special people in our lives. Still others consider a much more controversial gift: that of an animal, such as a puppy, kitten, hamster, baby chick or rabbit. Of course, when animals are given as gifts, they are usually purchased with the best of intentions. Who doesn’t want to see their child rejoice at the sight of a cute and cuddly puppy or kitten?

To read more on this story, click here: 7 Reasons Why Pets Make Terrible Holiday Gifts FOLLOW US!

A Dog and Several Feral Cats Take Shelter in Local Nativity Scenes

Christmas nativity scenes in towns, churches, and front lawns usually contain a usual cast of plastic religious figures, Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, of course, curled up in a manger. Perhaps the three wise men with their gifts, some shepherds, a couple of angels.

If any animals feature in the display, it is usually a donkey, an ox, some sheep, and maybe the wise men’s camels.

But a few animals are making headlines this Christmas week for adding themselves to their local nativity scenes.

Last Friday, in the small town of Glendale, Ohio, someone noticed something unusual in their village square nativity scene: curled up in the hay near Jesus and his manger was a white and brown American Pit Bull Terrier.

The Pittie was exhausted, injured, with wounds to his eye and one of his legs. Concerned about the dog’s condition, Glendale residents called town officials, who were able to secure the dog in one of their offices while searching for his owner.

Glendale village administrator Loretta Rokey borrowed a kennel from a friend. She tells FOX 19 she knew it was important to get the injured pup to a veterinarian immediately, so she took the dog to Noah’s Ark Animal Clinic for treatment. While the Pittie received the medical attention he needed, members of the nearby rescue group Cincinnati Pit Crew (CPC) joined Rokey at the clinic, ready to take the dog into their care.

CPC decided to give the dog a name befitting where he was found, Gabriel, after the angel who foretells Jesus’s birth.

“Tonight, our hearts are very full,” the CPC writes on their Facebook page. “Rescue isn’t easy work, but it’s always rewarding at the end of the day. Some very special people came upon this today and through networking with various rescues, CPC was able to help find a safe place for Gabriel and start the process of finding him a loving family.”

Because of the community’s efforts, Gabriel will now be able to enjoy the Christmas holiday at his new foster home. St. Francis of Assisi, both the patron saint of animals and the person credited with creating the very first nativity scene in the year 1223, would surely be delighted.

Meanwhile, two Brooklyn sisters are getting a kick out of some feline additions to their family nativity scene display.

Annette and Sue Amendola have been erecting their homemade nativity scene for more than a decade in a lot next door to their home. However, for the past few seasons, their display has became more of a “cativity” after a group of feral cats started nesting near the baby Jesus and his holy posse.

“People love it, but they really get a laugh out of the cats,” Sue Amendola tells DNAinfo New York of the nativity.

The kitties, including grey tabby cat Bandit, Bandit’s Sister, Blue Eyes, and four other unnamed cats, have set up shop in the small makeshift stable built by the Amendola sisters. The cats aren’t afraid to make themselves comfortable; in fact, Bandit has no qualms with pushing the plastic savior aside and napping on his hay bale manger.

People have flocked to the Amendola’s block to catch a glimpse of the Christmas kitties, noting that they could actually be enacting a certain Biblical feline folktale. Tabbies are said to have gotten the ‘M’ marking on their foreheads for lending new mother Mary a hand that cold night after Jesus’s birth. As the chilly winds blew into the small stable, the infant Jesus started to cry. When Mary called to the stable animals to help her warm the baby, it is said that a small tabby hopped into the manger, snuggling with little Jesus to keep him nice and toasty. Mary, grateful to the kind kitty, bestows her first initial, the letter ‘M’ on the cat’s small forehead as a token of her thanks.

And it seems the Amendola sisters try to pay it forward to their kitty nativity friends all year long. Even after the holidays are over and all the lights and ornaments are stocked away, they keep the wooden stable open for their feral friends, giving them a warm place to rest.

For more information about Gabriel, or to learn when the nativity Pittie will be available for adoption, visit the Cincinnati Pit Crew website http://www.cincinnatipitcrew.org/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiPitCrew.

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