Pet Hospital Fundraiser Offers Pet Portraits with Santa

Santa will be visiting the foothills a little early this year to help raise awareness and needed goods for the Pasadena Humane Society.

On Saturday, Nov. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m., the , 3502 Foothill Blvd., invites pet lovers to bring their favorite friends to pose with Santa for a Christmas portrait. People can also tour the hospital and enjoy some light refreshments. While the portraits are offered free of charge, the hospital encourages posers and their humans to start off the season of giving with a little giving to the humane society.

“You can donate funds, cans of food or anything listed on the Pasadena Humane Society’s wish list,” explained Jessica Speas, hospital administrator. Items needed include dry and canned dog and cat food, towels, cat litter, pet toys and even gift cards to Staples.

Speas noted that last year about 80 pets got their pictures snapped with Santa but a few more are expected this year. And while dogs seem to most enjoy meeting Santa, all types of pets are invited. Last year, Santa even posed with a possum.

The pet hospital is a family-owned and operated, full-service veterinary practice in the community since 1958. Veterinarian and Tujunga-resident Dr. James Speas has owned the hospital since 1996. Open seven days a week, the hospital has a staff of 21 people, including one part-time and three full-time veterinarians.

The practice sees all kinds of patients, not just cats and dogs.

“Guineas pigs, mice, rats, birds, goats–we’ll see anything,” said Speas. “This week we saw a pot belly pig, an iguana and a baby rat.”

Speas noted that the community is a part of the practice’s family, with many of their patients second and third generation clients.

The hospital also works with local rescue and adoption agencies, including the Paw Squad and greyhound rescue organizations Fast Friends and Grey Save, providing services, support and care for the groups’ foster pets.

Speas noted that while the practice does not take in abandoned animals, they do always provide guidance and direction to the best resources, including scanning for microchips and even help finding foster families.

Stop by the hospital’s Facebook page to check out Santa portraits from last year. To learn more about the Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital, visit the website or stop by the open house on Nov. 26. Don't forget to bring your animal friend in his or her Christmas best.