Happy Howlidays
By Gretchen Ammerman
Oregon Coast TODAY
Christmas comes just once a year, but the needs of our companion animals for food, shelter and medical care last all year long. Luckily, there are people that donate their time to ensure that animals in need are not forgotten at Christmas or any other time.
Jillian’s Christmas Tree for shelter pets
The six-foot-tall tree in the corner at Jillian’s Hair Salon in Lincoln City is there for more than simple holiday decoration. Every year, the tree is festooned with donations among the usual tinsel and balls.
“Our clients have come to expect it,” owner Jillian Morris said. “We get bags of treats, collars, leashes, toys, beds; anything that a shelter animal might need. Once, I had a customer donate about a dozen hand-sewn blankets. We also have plenty of people that donate money. That is especially welcome so that the recipient can buy what they truly need.”
The salon also serves as a gallery for art that benefits rescues.
“We sell beautiful wooden signs and 100 percent of the proceeds are donated,” Morris said. “We also have ceramic dog and cat masks from local artist Sam Jacobson. She donates $10 from every sale, which we pass on to different rescues.”
Christmas tree recipients change annually: this year they are the Tillamook Animal Shelter, the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Ruff Life Rescue and SevaDog, a family-run rescue in the Willamette Valley.
You can drop off donations at Jillian’s, 1315 SW Hwy. 101, in Lincoln City, until Friday, Dec. 24.
Pick of the Litter
The Pick of the Litter thrift store in Newport, run by the Friends of the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, has been raising money for the shelter since 2009.
"We moved to the new building in August of 2020,” said Emily DeHuff, president of the FOLCAS board of directors. "Moving to a location where we are visible from Highway 20 has really caused business to spike. Even though we’re open about a third as often as we were in the old location, we’re actually getting more business than ever.”
And the holidays are no exception.
“We have holiday stuff year-round in a special section to make it easy to find,” DeHuff said. “We actually have one volunteer that focuses on holiday things, and she does a great job. People come to us for decorations and to find fun, affordable gifts.”
About half of the money raised goes to operating the mostly volunteer-run store, and the rest goes to pay for pre-adoption spay and neuter for animals that come into the shelter and to provide financial assistance for local people that need help with medical bills.
“Misfortune befalls us all,” DeHuff said. “You never know what might happen to you tomorrow. For example, a lot of fire victims needed help right away after losing almost everything. We don’t pay 100 percent of bills, we fill the gap and people are only eligible once. Our local vets are always finding ways to cut the costs for people in need, too. Between us, the vets and our wonderful, generous community members, we help to ensure that animals receive the care they need, regardless of the situation they find themselves in.”
The Pick of the Litter is located at 558 NE 1st Street, Newport and is open from 11 am to 3 pm, Thursday through Saturday. For more information, go to folcas.com or call 541-961-5852.
Lincoln County Animal Shelter P-update
The building that long held staff and animals has been demolished due to a huge outbreak of black mold, and staff are still working out of modular buildings while a new, permanent facility gets built.
“We’re still not able to operate at our former capacity,” said Amy Ketchum, animal care specialist. “Before we could take in about 75 cats, now we’re down to roughly 25. For dogs, we used to have 19 or 20 runs and now are down to eight. We really appreciate people’s patience with the process; we’re doing the best we can with what we have.”
The public is currently welcome Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to four, and appointments are encouraged.
“It’s always best to adopt from the shelter because it can free up space for other animals in need,” Ketchum said. “That way you also know that you are getting a pet that has been spayed or neutered, microchipped and has been cleared by medical staff.”
Tips for pet owners during the holidays:
“Always keep your dog on a leash when you take them outside, even for a quick potty, and always have identification on all of your animals,” Ketchum said. “A lot of pets get lost during the holidays because of the weather creating downed fences and other issues — and if they don’t have identification it takes a lot longer for them to be reunited with their family.”
The Lincoln County Animal Shelter is located at 510 NE Harney Street, Newport. For more information, call 541-265-6610.