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All the creatures were stirring: Santa visits the Eastside animal shelter

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Punkin meets Santa and Mrs. Claus during a visit to the city Animal Welfare Department's Eastside shelter on Friday.
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Drama, a 3-year-old Chihuahua owned by Bruno Navarro, smooches Santa Claus — also known as Michael “Doc” Pufahl, who also works as an intake specialist at the city's Eastside shelter— during an event letting pets get their photos taken with Santa.
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Eric Vigil, left, and his dogs Haru and Corvo, bottom center, prepare to get their photos taken with Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa Claus on Friday at the Eastside shelter.
Images by Jon Austria Images by Jon Austria Images by Jon Austria Journal
Published Modified

Step aside, children; the animals need some lap space, too.

Santa visited the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department’s Eastside shelter on Friday, taking snapshots with dogs and cats brought in by pet lovers from around the city.

The jolly one also brought some cheer to the pets at the shelter, handing out comfort gifts and treats to those still waiting for forever homes.

If you’d like to contribute to the well-being of the shelter animals, you still can. Animal Welfare is collecting comfort gifts, including small cat toys, treats, beds, brushes, wand toys, scratchers, blankets, towels, dog enrichment toys, collars, harnesses, pill pockets and Kong toys, through Dec. 31 as part of its “Operation Silent Night.”

The public can drop off donations at Animal Welfare shelters and at participating small businesses. Go to www.cabq.gov/pets for a listing of drop-off locations.

Photos

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Updated
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Drama, a 3-year-old Chihuahua owned by Bruno Navarro, smooches Santa Claus — also known as Michael “Doc” Pufahl, who also works as an intake specialist at the city's Eastside shelter— during an event letting pets get their photos taken with Santa.

20241222-news-santavisitsshelter-03.JPG

Updated
20241222-news-santavisitsshelter-03.JPG
Eric Vigil, left, and his dogs Haru and Corvo, bottom center, prepare to get their photos taken with Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa Claus on Friday at the Eastside shelter.

20241222-news-santavisitsshelter-01.JPG

Updated
20241222-news-santavisitsshelter-01.JPG
Punkin meets Santa and Mrs. Claus during a visit to the city Animal Welfare Department's Eastside shelter on Friday.
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