Steamboat Pilot & Today

On Saturday, puppies and kittens and full-grown pets will be standing in line with no idea why. At the end of the long line, Santa will be waiting to take pictures with the family pet for use on Christmas cards and to benefit the Routt County Humane Society.

"Our photographer is really good," Humane Society board member Marilyn McCaulley said. "She makes sure all the animals are looking at the camera."

The organization has hosted its "Picture Your Pet with Santa" fund-raiser for 19 years. The proceeds are used to pay for spay and neuter assistance for pet owners who can't afford it, for emergency medical assistance and to provide medical care and spay and neutering procedures for shelter animals.

Since the group started making a concerted effort 20 years ago to spay and neuter animals, the number of animals that need to be euthanized has been reduced dramatically, McCaulley said.

The event usually raises $1,000 each year.

The Picture Your Pet with Santa event has been held in the past at the Steamboat Community Center and in the lobby of the Pet Kare Clinic. This year, it will be held in the lobby of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort Hotel. Photos will be taken in front of the fireplace.

The Photo Express House is donating all film and processing this year.

Photos cost $15 for a 4-by-6-inch print. Christmas cards and additional prints can be purchased.

This year, baby reindeer and Larry the baby camel will be there to greet visitors while they wait. People can bring their own cameras to get pictures with the reindeer and camel.