The holiday season can be a very hectic and stressful time of the year for people. It can also be stressful for animals – particularly those at the animal shelter. With that in mind, the students in the Small Animal Care Program II at the H.G. Sackett Technical Center spent time this holiday “Ringing for Rawhides” to benefit the Lewis County Humane Society. The students rang bells and sang songs to the shoppers at the Lowville Tractor Supply encouraging them donate rawhide treats and food for the animals.

According to Sackett Small Animal Care Instructor Blake Putman, rawhides are very important to shelter dogs.

“Rawhides are a great source of entertainment for the dogs at the shelter. As the days get shorter and the weather is not quite as favorable, pets at the shelter need stimulation. Rawhides provide an excellent activity for dogs that are inside,” Putman said.

While rawhides are a great chewing pastime for pups, what is even better, Putman says, is a new home for the pets with a wonderful new family.  While the students were "Ringing for Rawhide," they also drew attention to a beautiful shelter dog named Hazel who was up for adoption. Within a few hours, Hazel had found a new home in time for Christmas.

For 2012, the Small Animal Care program is encouraging people to consider adopting a shelter pet and provide a place where they can be loved and have all of the rawhides they could ever want.

If you are interested in adopting a pet from the shelter check out the Lewis County Humane Society website at http://www.lewiscountyhumanesociety.org.