Hollywood Pet Salon, Vault Restaurant join ‘Home for the Holidays’ fund-raiser
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Home for the Holidays wrapped up another season during last weekend’s event. Volunteers for the Houlton Humane Society joined the Hollywood Pet Salon and the Vault to raise much-needed funds for the area’s homeless pets. 
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
SANTA’S HELPERS — Volunteers for the Houlton Humane Society gathered together on Saturday, Dec. 8 to hold a winter wonderland event outside of the Hollywood Pet Salon. Steve Henderson is seen here with shelter pup, “Scruffy.” She is an 11-year-old in need of a great home.
This year’s event featured a winter wonderland on Mechanic Street, which was closed off to traffic. A warm fire was set in a portable stove in the middle of the street and children were treated to various holiday scenes.
Raising funding and awareness about the growing need of the shelter’s unwanted animals was also at the top of the list for organizers this year. The shelter’s cat population has skyrocketed, already bringing the new facility to its maximum capacity. The shelter has been forced to use their former building to house the overflow of animals.
On Saturday, the Hollywood Pet Salon had successfully adopted out four cats and sold all their Christmas trees. Heather Miller works closely with the shelter and its pets and she felt this year’s event went well.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
KITTENS — Ten-year-old Evelyn Pratt plays with one of the numerous kittens living at the Houlton Humane Society. The kittens were featured at the Hollywood Pet Salon’s Home for the Holidays event on Saturday, Dec. 8.
“It’s been very successful,” said Miller. “All of the proceeds are going to benefit the shelter.”
The Vault, which is located next door to the Hollywood Pet Salon, served meals to the public for a small price and all of the proceeds from the dinner are being given to the shelter as well. Miller said the food for the dinner was donated and cooked by volunteers.
“We’re lucky that we have such gracious people,” she said. “Everything done here today was made possible by volunteers.”
The Home for the Holidays event was also an opportunity for pet owners to bring their “best friends” out to mingle and have their photos taken with Santa.
The Houlton Humane Society continues to raise funds for its building fund, as well as food for the animals, litter for cats, not to mention the shelter’s existing vet bills.
For more information on how to help the Houlton Humane Society call 532-2862.
