MUSCATINE, Iowa–With the holiday season just around the corner, people have started thinking about what photos to include in their holiday cards. For those wanting to include their furry friends in their family photos, the Muscatine Humane Society has just the thing for them. Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12, people and their pets can come out to the Canine Activity Center at 920 South Houser Street in Muscatine for a professional photo shoot with proceeds benefiting the Muscatine Humane Society.
Over the years, the Muscatine Humane Society has held many holiday pet photo fundraisers. A chance to get professional pet photography at a good price, people have flocked to the event each time the Humane Society held it. Though their original volunteer photographer has since retired from the Humane Society, they have found another professional willing to keep the tradition going. This year, Beth Van Zandt, a retired photographer with 27 years experience and founder of For Pets’ Sake, will take pictures of the people and cat and dog companions who come out to this event.
Those who would like their photos taken do not need to make an appointment, but should come well before the end of the day, as Van Zandt will take photos on a first come, first served basis. For the safety of all involved, people must leash their dogs and keep their cats in cat carriers before and after their photo sessions. People should also keep their animals at a respectful distance from other dogs and cats they do not know to reduce stress on the animals. Each photo session will cost $20 and will result in three to four high quality images, which participants will have emailed to them. Typically, it takes about a week for the photos to get edited and sent out.
A perennially popular fundraiser, Muscatine Humane Society Director Chris McGinnis would like to see the event bring in at least $1,000. These funds can go to any area the Humane Society needs the most assistance with, whether providing ongoing veterinary care to animals with medical conditions, ongoing building improvements, and unexpected expenses not covered in the regular budget. Since the Humane Society assists hundreds of animals each year with finding fur-ever families, having flexibility to address needs as they arise proves very useful.
Because pets have such an important place in their people’s lives, the Muscatine Humane Society’s holiday photo fundraiser offer the purr-fect opportunity to include animal friends in treasured holiday traditions and memories. “I would encourage people to do it because they make a really nice family photo for a low cost and it also features the four legged family members,” said McGinnis. “They make great Christmas cards too.”
