Steamboat Pilot & Today

The photographs are so cute, if you don't have a pet, you'll want to get one just so you can put a little Santa hat on its head.

This is the 20th year for the annual Picture your Pet with Santa fundraiser for the Routt County Humane Society. The group formed in 1985 with a goal of controlling the local pet population through a spaying and neutering program. The fundraiser started the same 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 Springs Resort. Photos will be taken in front of the fireplace.

The event usually raises $1,000.

In 20 years, the Humane Society has gone through several Santas and several photographers. For the second year in a row, Tim Apple and Ed Mumm will be returning as Santa.

Like last year, a baby reindeer and Larry the baby camel will be on hand to greet visitors while they wait.

Steamboat Coffee Roasters will donate beverages to the event, and Blue Sage Bakery will donate baked goods. Boneyard Cafe will be selling dog biscuits on site and donating proceeds to the humane society.

Organizers keep barriers up so the pets cannot see each other while they wait for their photo shoots, keeping chaos at bay.

Antlers, hats and garland will be available to dress up the animals.

The humane society asks for a $15 donation, which gets the pet owner a 4-by-6-inch photo. Owners also can order Christmas cards and additional pictures from photographer Meghan Curtis.

All money raised at the Picture your Pet with Santa event will go toward medical care and spaying and neutering procedures for animals at the Steamboat Springs Animal Shelter.

-- To reach Autumn Phillips, call 871-4210

or e-mail aphillips@steamboatpilot.com