PUHI — The holidays are a very special time to gather with family and take pictures that can last a lifetime. At the Kaua‘i Humane Society this weekend, families can have their pets join them for professional portraits taken and
PUHI — The holidays are a very special time to gather with family and take pictures that can last a lifetime.
At the Kaua‘i Humane Society this weekend, families can have their pets join them for professional portraits taken and edited by Carol Ann Davis, owner of Portraits of Hawai‘i.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Davis will decorate the KHS classroom and feature “Santa Paws” for professional photo sessions.
The event is a fundraising event for KHS and additional donations are welcome.
“She’ll be taking 10 to 20 photos for each sitting session,” said Kate Kreig, KHS community outreach coordinator.
Kreig said the photos can be arranged in any configuration the family wants, from photos of Santa with their pets or children with Santa, adding, “they can even kick Santa out,” noting several creative possibilities families have during the sessions.
“For $35, families receive a disc featuring all of the shots,” said Mele Brewer, KHS humane educator. The package is valued at $500.
Brewer added that Davis shoots the event at cost, and donates any amount over that back to KHS.
“She is very, very organized coming in,” Brewer said of Davis. “She sets up her backgrounds and knows about her lighting.”
For families looking to welcome the light and love of a new pet into their homes, KHS is also offering adoption specials all weekend.
Kreig said volunteers walk adoptable dogs sporting “Adopt Me” vests during the Lights on Rice Parade, which is scheduled for today, adding that families often come in the next morning to adopt a dog they saw along the route.
“We adopt out several dogs the next day,” Kreig said.
Adult dogs are $25 this weekend. Cats who are more than six months old are $10. Kittens — who are normally $60 each — will be available two for the price of one.
In addition, when a family adopts this weekend, they can take their new family member to Santa Paws and have a full photo session for $10.
“Someone could adopt a cat and have professional pictures taken of their family that day for a total of $20,” Kreig said.
Brewer said the shelter is requesting families bring their dogs on leashes and their cats in carriers for the event.
Volunteers will be on hand to help move the line along and to squeak toys specially for the dogs during photos.
“There’s a lot of mixing and milling around as people share the joy of the season and meet other people’s animals,” Brewer said. “It just adds to the fun.”
The Kaua‘i Humane Society is located at 3-825 Kaumuali‘i Highway in Puhi.
For more info on adopting or to make a donation, visit www.kauaihumane.org or call 632-0610.
